Teacher shortage in Nagaland: Dr Yhome points to non-recruitment, other issues

Nagaland School Education & SCERT Advisor Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome addressing the coordination meeting on September 1 in Tuensang. (Morung Photo)

Nagaland School Education & SCERT Advisor Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome addressing the coordination meeting on September 1 in Tuensang. (Morung Photo)

Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 3

Nagaland’s School Education & SCERT Advisor, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome has admitted that there is shortage of teachers in the government schools in Nagaland, while maintaining that the department working to address the issue. 

There is shortage of teachers as the department has not been recruiting people, he said, addressing coordination meeting with district administration, civil society organisations and school education department in Tuensang on September 1. 

Every month, teachers are retiring, which also results in shortage of teachers, he maintained.

In 2010, the department could regularise 1720 teachers, followed by 2200 in 2012 and 373 in 2014, he said. 

To resolve the shortage of teachers, the department is going to present the matter to the Government of Nagaland and working on financial implication, Dr Yhome added. 

Further noting that there should be sanction post for every created school, he stated, “We have created so many schools without sanction post.”

“We have to solve this for once and for all.”

To this end, the Advisor called upon the concerned to understand the position of the department and exercise patience.
He further lauded Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio for showing his concern regarding the issue adding:  “We want a strong political decision for this.”

“How can we open school without sending teachers? This is a big failure,” he opined.

In Nagaland, there are about 4 lakh students from pre-primary to higher secondary, in which, 1.50 lakh students are in government schools and the rest 2.50 lakh students are in private schools.

Earlier, Tuensang Deputy Commissioner Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa appreciated Dr Yhome for bringing a lot of changes in the department within five months and also urged the CSOs and public to extend their cooperation to the department.

Avelu Ruho, Joint Secretary School Education Nagaland and Deputy Project Director NECTAR also maintained that the Advisor has been undertaking tours in various parts of the state to understand the challenges, listen to the grievances, and gather suggestions as well as celebrating success story.

Chang Students Conference and United Sangtam Students’ Conference leaders raised various issues/grievances at the meeting and called for addressing the same.