Jalukie, May 23 (MExN): Minister for Planning and Coordination, Evaluation and Geology and Mining, T.R. Zeliang, today emphasized on the need for modernization of the education system in Nagaland to cope with the changing world. Addressing the inaugural function of the Barail Valley School building at Jalukie as chief guest, the Minister stated that classroom learning alone cannot be termed as complete education in the present context and urged upon teachers, students and school management to adopt more practical and applicable systems of education in line with the needs of the present world.
Zeliang informed the gathering that by way of “education modernization”, the state government has decided to provide computer sets to all educational institutions in Nagaland with the hope that it will help students and teachers to cope with the IT revolution. He also said that there are different kinds of backwardness like educational backwardness, economic, social and political backwardness. He said that educational advancement is not measured by the number of degree holders but by the achievement made by the degree holder.
Unless “backward tribes” do away with the thinking that education is only for a government job, he stated, it will be impossible to “remove backwardness”. He urged upon students to look beyond classroom learning in order to expand their scope of employment and skills both in the private and public sector.
He called upon teachers and school authority to create better vision and competition-oriented education so as to help the students achieve success in life. The Minister also said the Nagas cannot continue to keep following the old system of education but need to evolve new systems that will suit the present world.
Parliamentary Secretary, Rural Development, C.L. John, who also spoke on the occasion, while drawing a comparison between the Konyak and Zeliangrong tribes, said that both the tribes have linguistic and literature differences within the tribe. Difference of languages within the tribe is a main factor creating disunity within the tribe, he said urged, upon the people to adopt common language for unity. Unless education in the state is made more practical and vocational, backwardness cannot be removed he said, and urged teachers to impart quality education to students.
