Prof. G.T. Thong
Nagaland University
In an article (Nagaland Post, June 22, 2017, Front Page) the Governor expressed anguish that 68% of government school teachers do not attend duties. Connect this to the poor results of the government schools. The responsible authority, from the Minister down to the Director (past and present) is in full knowledge of the same. The bulk of these truants are most likely back-door appointees. However, all are assured of protection; after all, their protectors run the government. Such teachers are a curse to our society. They have already damaged many generations. Their continuance in service will devastate Nagaland. When Nagaland now has thousands of qualified unemployed youths who have the zeal and skills, why do we still tolerate these destroyers?
Who suffers? The large chunk of society that is poor and illiterate. Does anybody care at all? The Government is least bothered except for the occasional lip service to cover up its gross misdeeds. But damage to society continues with impunity by truants, under-matric teachers, etc. under the patronage of an indifferent government that is bloated with self interest.
What numbs the senses is that various government functionaries (read Politicians) constantly blame the large number of government employees that are sucking up the meagre resources, yet protect their appointees (backdoor) without batting an eyelid. Such appointments probably continue unabated. The regularisation of these backdoor appointees too continues without any qualms. Please Government Functionaries, spare us the moral lectures in future; you have no right to even discuss the extra-large workforce, mostly backdoor appointees (your creation), when you are hell-bent on protecting their interests.
The NSF now has a new team. Every time a new team is elected to office the invariable request from many quarters is for the NSF to change its stance and instead, do something for the crumbling institution that is education. Yet, except for formality’s sake, nothing serious and/or engaging is ever taken up. We sorely need an organisation exclusively for the welfare of the students, unemployed youths, and future generation. Remember, our children (students) in the rural areas, as well as those in the urban areas, are being systematically destroyed by vested interests. Can we ignore this annihilation of the larger population of the future generation, no matter which part of Nagaland it is, or who is involved? The time is ripe for a total revolution. Can the new NSF team lead, unlike ever before?
