Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland launched an indefinite agitation starting with closure of educational offices in Peren district to demand the retention of teachers. (Photo Courtesy: ZLSU)
PEREN, OCTOBER 11 (MExN): The Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZLSU) has announced the start of an indefinite agitation to demand the retention or replacement of math and science teachers affected by a recent rationalization exercise. The initiative, which began on October 9, included closure of educational offices in the first phase. In the second phase, the agitation will escalate to a complete shutdown of government schools in the Peren district if their demands are not met.
In a press communiqué issued by its media cell, the ZLSU stated that the recent actions by the Department of School Education (DoSE), which involved transferring teachers without replacement during the academic year, have severely impacted some of the district’s top-performing government schools. It described the situation as "academic cruelty" and an infringement on students' fundamental right to education, criticizing the department's apparent disregard for educational quality.
Stating that it has exhausted all avenues for constructive dialogue to resolve the matter, the union said it had even extended an ultimatum for the retention or replacement of teachers from 15 to 30 days. Schools affected include GMS Nkialwa, GMS Mpai, GHS Mbaulwa, GMS Punglwa, GHSS Tening, among others.
The ZLSU stated that if their demands are not met, it will be left with no choice but to proceed to the second phase of agitation. While the planned school closures pose significant risks to students, educators, and the broader community, disrupting academic progress and access to education, the union asserted that this action is crucial to prompt authorities into immediate and decisive responses to the educational challenges in the district.
Towards this the ZLSU has called all stakeholders—including students, parents, educators, and community leaders—to support their initiative, highlighting the need for community engagement to stress the importance of effective teachers in nurturing student potential.
The union, meanwhile, urged the DoSE to reconsider its position for the sake of students, asserting that those in government schools deserve the same quality of education as their peers in private institutions.
“If our demands remain unmet, we are prepared to escalate our protest to any extent necessary, and the concerned department will be held responsible for any untoward incident that may occur,” it cautioned.
