Principal Director of School Education calls for tackling pertinent issues in department
Our Correspondent
Kohima | May 15
“The Education department has been in the news for the wrong reasons. And, we cannot shed the responsibility and blame it on others for our own mistakes. The department needs to admit that it has failed in many ways to inspect thoroughly in the grass root level,” stated Kesonyü Yhome, Principal Director for School Education, Government of Nagaland. He stated this while addressing the 6th Felicitation of the HSLC Toppers 2014 in Government Schools. The event was held on May 15 at Zonal Council Hall, Kohima and was organized by the District Planning Development Board (DPDB).
Yhome stressed on the need to immediately address certain pertinent issues in the Nagaland state Education Department. He stated that some of the current problems the department is facing include issues on absenteeism of teachers, proxy and bogus teachers and serious mismanagement of funds. Yhome asserted that the shortage of teachers in specific fields, especially Math, Science and Hindi, has become a pan-Nagaland phenomena and that it is one of the biggest problems facing the department.
At present, 2000 Hindi teachers are required in Nagaland. Yhome stated that there is a need to allow non-local teachers to apply for the post of Math and Science in government schools because of the acute shortage of teachers in these areas. Although this issue may be controversial, Yhome said, “We will not compromise with the quality of education in the state.”
While discussing the problem of Non-detention policy in Nagaland, where the Central policy has come into direct confrontation with the ground realities of the state, Yhome pointed out that it is not easy on the part of the state to make amendments and changes in central policy. Therefore, Yhome remarked that there is a greater need for discussion, sharing and debate of ideas, proposals and suggestions regarding the non-detention policy.
Speaking at the function, Kepelhoutuo Chüsi, Headmaster, Rüzhükhrie Government Higher Secondary School (RGHSS) said, “For us Government teachers, we find ourselves in the healing process rather than achieving good results. Most of our students come from broken families, rural areas and downtrodden homes.” “People need to understand the reality of government schools instead of criticizing,” added, who stated that many times, instead of disciplining students they have to use a different strategy that includes restoring someone’s hope and vision.
Ketoho Luho, ADC Planning and Member Secretary DPDB stated that the DPDB initiated the award in 2009 in order to encourage and boost the morale of government schools, This year’s awards were given to Sunny Kumar Singh who held the 7th Position from Government High School Botsa and Metsivilie Seyie who secured the 9th Position from RGHSS. The toppers were awarded with a cash prize of Rs. 15000 each with certificates.
