The longstanding imbroglio between the SSA appointed teachers of the state and the state government/ DoSE which has been going on for several months now, is yet to be resolved. As would be apparent to any reader, unlike some other issues, the solution in this case, however, does not require rocket science- just pay the teachers their pending salaries and arrears, and behold! The case is rested!
This simple write-up, though, is not really a rejoinder or a discussion on the issue at hand (not that any literate person needs any explanation, the issue has had sufficient media space already!). This is just a voice – the voice of an aggrieved teacher…of the miseries and the anguish that has been forced down upon us, poor souls, at this moment in time. (The writer could have just kept these thoughts, as unflattering as they are, to himself, and yet, there is absolutely no harm in pouring them out either.)
So, I was appointed and posted at the Government Middle School in this remote village in 2010. When we first joined, the school had just about a handful of students (not fully upgraded at that time), but from the next year onwards, the inflow of students has been on the rise and as of now, the enrollment has multiplied almost five-folds from what it was back then. I take pride in stating this but no, there is absolutely, no conceit nor self-glorification! In fact, the actual picture that I want to present in saying all these is our increased responsibilities of raising and giving education to these children, with the increase in their numbers. With upgradation and availability of more new teachers, the parents and the community have reposed their faith in the school by enrolling their children, and not letting their trust and expectations down, the teachers, have so far been doing our best nurturing, guiding and educating our pupils.
Just for the record, we teachers travel miles and miles on bouncy-bumpy country roads to reach our posting places; sacrifice the luxuries and pleasures of urban life; do not see our families for months and remain cut off from modern communications and connectivity, as we patiently endeavor to educate dear village children in those half-furnished classrooms. Not to mention being entrusted with all kinds of odd jobs passed down from other departments!
And this is how you reward us with? Is this how hard-work and sincerity get paid off? Why this injustice and discrimination? Why are we even deprived of our own meager salary, our only source for survival (for five long months altogether now)? Yes, it is sad. It is unfair. It must be painful, humiliating and agonizing, but no! you can never be in our shoes to know what we must really be going though! With hopeful thoughts do we put on brave, cheerful faces and go to school every day, but when our names are missing from the pay-rolls every month, we are embarrassed, to say the least, even to face our own colleagues, who are otherwise, being paid regularly. And to think that we are the ones that earned our jobs through our hard-labour and merit! Paradoxical, indeed! Sadly.
The walk from Phoolbari to Raj Bhavan was a memorable one. Not really a long walk measured in physical distance but recounting all of the thoughts and emotions that passed one’s mind, believe you me, it was indeed a long, long walk. Perhaps, that one Walk which will be remembered for a long, long time to come!
The NSSATA has been handling the issue in a very matured way. We have always been patient and peaceful in our protests. Every possible door has been knocked on. It is encouraging and consoling to read those press releases by different unions and associations in support of our cause. What is rather baffling is how our honorable Chief Minister, the concerned minister and the DoSE choose to remain adamantly mute and unmoved in the midst of all these ongoing hue and cry by suffering teachers.
To those callous individuals responsible for our undue suffering; my plea, as you sit down by your well-laid breakfast table; as you comfortably relax in your majestic mansions; as you drive about your posh SUVs, please remember that somewhere in a remote corner of Nagaland, some poor teacher will be fighting hard for a morsel; struggling to pay their rents and children’s school fees; spending many sleepless nights; unsure and reluctant to face life as daybreaks!
Ajanthung Shitiri
GMS Okotso
Wokha, Nagaland
