‘True education is beyond earning degrees’: Patton
Dy CM Y Patton (3rd from right) and HTE Minister Temjen Imna Along Longkumer alongwith other guests releasing the school’s annual magazine - Naga Bharti during the programme on August 31. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 31
The 3rd Academic Assembly of the Janjati Shiksha Samiti (JSS), Nagaland was held in Dimapur on August 31 under the theme ‘Learn, Grow and Inspire’. Deputy Chief Minister Y. Patton was the guest of honour at the programme with Minister for Higher & Technical Education (HTE) Temjen Imna Along Longkumer as a special guest.
Kevekho Kevin Zehol, Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur and R. Amongla Jamir, District Education Officer were the other special invitees.
In his address, Dy CM Patton lauded JSS’ “multi-disciplinary” contribution, especially in education and community development in Nagaland. “As non-profit, the JSS has been engaging in various activities not only in the field of education but also in social uplift; and I urged you all to continue in this noble endeavour,” said Patton.
While stating that education aids personal and societal growth, he added that only education can bring “us at par with the rest of the mainstream.”
“True education is beyond earning degrees… it inculcates moral values, positive thinking, attitude of helping, giving to society and ethical values to the students.”
As a school, he said that the JSS should equip itself to “integrate the disadvantaged within the fabric of the dominant mainstream.” “I hope the Samiti will keep these tenets in mind while spreading and disseminating social and educational awareness to the tribal societies,” he adeded.
HTE Minister Longkumer called for a more welcoming attitude as far as educational institutions run by non-Christian organizations. Speaking right after the school’s children performed a Christian gospel song, he said that it would be wrong to assume that non-Christian organizations are here with conversion as an objective.
“If non-Nagas can go to Catholic schools, likewise, Naga children can also study here (JSS)” without fear of being converted or indoctrinated, he said.
He held that a man cannot be branded a religious zealot just because he wears ‘dhoti and kurta’ and says ‘Bharat Mata ki jai. “We are an inclusive society. We cannot affort to be exclusive. The day we respect every other culture, that day we will become a vibrant and progressive people.”
The JSS also gave away scholarships, sponsored by well-wishers and donors, to deserving school children. It also submitted a list of demands to the Dy CM for governmental aid to the school.
