Dr N Janbemo Humtsoe
Wokha
A few days ago, I had the pleasure of meeting a childhood friend who is currently serving as a constable in the state police. After exchanging pleasantries, I inquired about his children and their education. He informed me that he has four children and that all of them are enrolled in private schools. He further explained that this particular time of the year presents significant challenges as his salary is insufficient to cover the expenses of his children’s admission fees, books, and uniforms.
I couldn’t agree more with his struggle. The financial burden of providing quality education is a reality many parents face. However, I reminded him that investing in his children’s education is one of the most valuable commitments he can make. While the costs may seem daunting now, the long-term benefits far outweigh the sacrifices. Education shapes a child’s future, opens doors to opportunities, and builds a foundation for success. I assured him that his dedication to his children’s well-being and education would one day bear fruit. After all, providing children with the right tools to succeed in life is a responsibility that no parent should take lightly.
There are many families like my friend here, who despite numerous challenges, struggles to send their children to private schools for want of quality education. On average, admission, books and uniform for a single child could come to around ₹15,000/-, excluding tuition fees. These cost increases each year. So, for a family without a secured income stream, the future of their children becomes uncertain.
While reviewing the cumulative records of students, I have observed instances where students enrolled in reputable private schools during their formative years were later withdrawn and enrolled in government schools. In my opinion, this primarily stems from the escalating costs associated with private education. When family’s size increases, spending also increases. Ultimately, parents are often compelled to make difficult decisions regarding their children’s education.
Despite the substantial financial burden associated with private education, numerous parents opt for private schools for their children due to the persistent shortcomings of government-run educational institutions. Academic underperformance, inadequate infrastructure, and ineffective management have undermined public trust in the government education system. Consequently, driven by their concerns for their children’s future, parents prioritize private schools that provide better learning environments, disciplined teaching, and enhanced academic outcomes.
According to the Unified District Information System for Education, 2023-24, there are 2,725 schools in Nagaland. Out of these, 1,952 (71.6%) are government schools, while 772 (28.3%) are private schools. The government school system employs a total of 18,627 educators, while the private school system employs 13,966 educators. However, when considering enrollment data, it is evident that only 1,41,852 students (34.4%) are enrolled in government schools, whereas 2,71,019 students (65.6%) are enrolled in private schools. This disparity in enrollment results in a pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) of 7.6 in government schools, 19.4 in private schools and 13 for the whole state.
Considering that the PTR for all India is 25, it is often argued that Nagaland state, particularly the government schools, has low PTR, hence, the educational outcomes should be better. The rationalization exercises are also implemented by the state government to address these challenges. However, efforts to deploy and redeploy teachers in accordance with the policy reforms are frequently hindered by protests from various pressure organizations. Eventually, the department is unable to effectively implement its policies.
It is evident that there is excessive interference in the management of government schools at every level in the state. From the construction of school toilets to school buildings, the school administration and the department must navigate and negotiate with the landowners, who would obstruct any development without having their share of the pie. Then comes the village councils, the student bodies and the influential lots. Obviously, too many people want to steer the ship and, in the end, when the ship cannot move forward in any direction, the blame is put on the teachers. The typical lazy, irresponsible government teachers, they would say.
One of the advantages of the private schools is its autonomy in management. The school authority can hire and fire any employee, depending on the performances or vision of the institution. Likewise, if the school needs a class room, a computer set, a white board or a microphone, the school gets it. But when it comes to government schools, it will have to go through the bureaucratic process which takes time. In addition, whenever the department comes with some sort of policy reforms, it is often challenged without appreciating the cause and intent of the policy. It is acknowledged that public policies should be open to questioning, examination, and thoughtful discussion to ensure they serve the greater good. However, opposing necessary reforms based on personal or vested interests hinders progress and prevents society from benefiting from positive change.
Recently, the State Level Education Committee has taken major decisions to shut down or downgrade government schools with zero or very less enrolments. The department has also come up with a policy to merge schools having less enrolments after giving them two-year grace period. If these policies are to be followed to the letter, more schools are likely to be shut down in the coming years. Obviously, teachers serving in such school will have to be redeployed elsewhere, unless of course, some sort of voluntary retirement schemes are offered to those who are not willing to get transferred.
If we are to evaluate public education purely from an economic perspective, schools with low enrollment may face closure due to cost inefficiency. While this might seem like a practical financial decision, it would have serious consequences, particularly for children in remote areas. Many of these students already face challenges in accessing quality education, and shutting down schools would further limit their opportunities, forcing them to travel long distances or, in some cases, discontinue their education altogether. Therefore, while economic factors are important, decisions about public education must also consider the social impact and the fundamental right of every child to receive education, regardless of their geographical location.
Between 2006-07 and 2023-24, the number of government primary schools in Nagaland decreased from 1442 to 1026. This trend is expected to continue as schools with zero or very low enrollments are closed. As per the UDISE+ 2023-24 report, Nagaland currently has a total of 12 schools with zero enrollment and 31 schools with only one teacher. In such scenario, we cannot expect the government to sit idle and do nothing. Rather it is felt that the government schools need urgent upscaling in all areas to improve performance and educational outcomes. To that end, public support and cooperation is also crucial.
Education is a great equalizer of income, health and standard of living; but when quality schooling becomes a privilege rather than a right, the gap between the wealthy and the underprivileged widens. It would be unacceptable for any society to segregate children based on their socioeconomic status, with the wealthy attending one type of school and the impoverished attending another. Such situation would certainly create deep divisions that affect social cohesion, economic mobility, and equal opportunities. Therefore, we must strive for an education system where quality schooling is accessible to all, regardless of geographical region or income status.
