1st All Nagaland Teacher Educators Conference examines changing perspectives and approaches in teacher’s education
Morung Express News
Kohima | May 10
The first ever ‘All Nagaland Teacher Educators Conference’ was held on May 10 at the SIEMAT Conference Hall, SCERT under the theme, ‘Changing Perspectives and Approaches in Teacher Education.’
Despite teacher education in the country undergoing changes in recent years, the gap between teacher education and its impact on the quality of education in schools has remained stagnant.
Despite best efforts, Kezhalenuo Kesiezie, Addl Director, SCERT stated that Nagaland is still grappling with the high percentage of untrained teachers and its negative bearing of quality education for several years, particularly in government schools.
“In Nagaland we have a number of Training colleges and Institutions however, unfortunately teacher education has been badly fragmented in our State as teacher education has placed under so many departments and there is complete absence of coordination amongst them,” he maintained.
The conference, thus, the Addl Director informed, was organised realizing the importance of close coordinated approach for teacher education both pre service and in service and to formulate an integrated approach for teacher education in Nagaland and address the common challenge in achieving quality education in schools. While providing a brief introduction to the program, T Sekhose, Director SCERT noted that education is ever evolving including new government initiatives, technological applications, theories and praxis.
“The responsibility that has been given upon us demands that as teacher educators it becomes so important for us to keep ourselves abreast of all the changes in national and international forums,” said Sekhose.
Teachers at all levels are important whether it is school level or higher education, viewed resource person Prof. M A Siddiqui, Former Chairperson, National Council of Teacher Education (NCTE).
The shaping and transforming the teachers is the responsibility of teacher educators, and it is in the teacher educators where the hope of education lies, he further noted.
“The responsibility of bringing any kind of change particularly the qualitative change to maintain education lies on the shoulder of teacher educators then it percolates down to teachers. We owe a great deal of responsibility as teacher educators,” stated Siddiqui.
“Educators must shape teachers into skillful, motivating and willing teachers,” he added.
Speaking on the occasion as a the special guest, Advisor IPR, SCERT & Village Guard, Toshi Wungtong stated that education must be molded not only towards the robotic or mechanical activities, but it must be revolutionary and contributive.
Stress on education that is professional and revolutionary
and must instill the young minds to be explorative, to reason and to question, he added, inaugurating the conference. “True education is not simply about knowing, being technical or mechanical but education must be holistic. It must also encompass morality as well,” said the Advisor. He also urged them to teach the truth and produce quality leaders in society.” "The true meaning of education is truthful science."
“Look beyond your profession as teachers and employees. You must be teacher beyond the walls of teaching. Your responsibility goes beyond your salary. You have a moral responsibility to contribute and build society as desired. We are basically the bricks that build the walls of society,” Wungtong further remarked. Meanwhile, Menukhol John, Principal Secy, School education & SCERT advised the teachers to provide quality education to their students as it will determine their future and called for new introspections in providing qualitative education so that the students are in competence with others in regional, national and international level.
The topics discussed in the conference were ‘Current Trends in Teacher Education: A National Perspective’ by resource person Prof. MA Siddiqui and ‘Needs and Challenges of Teacher Education in Nagaland’ by T. Alemla Lkr, Vice Principal, SCTE. Group discussions and final observations were held.
