Ao bodies call for removal of Alternative English as MIL subject

Say teachers’ shortage plaguing government schools in Mokokchung district

DIMAPUR — Four Ao bodies—Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang (AKM), and Ao Riju (Ao Academy)—have called for the removal of Alternative English as an MIL (Modern Indian Language) subject in schools and replace it with vernacular language, as envisaged by the National Education Policy 2020.

In a joint representation addressed to the Advisor of School Education & SCERT, they also flagged the issues of teachers’ shortage across government schools in Mokokchung district and insufficient number of government higher secondary schools.

According to the four bodies, the policy of engaging any teacher acquainted with the mother tongue to teach that particular subject is detrimental to the teaching-learning process. “It is of deep concern that most teachers selected through this process have no professional training to teach the vernacular subject since they have not undergone the Language Proficiency Examination conducted by tribal literature boards.

“This creates a lot of confusion in the spelling system as well as in the grammar and composition of the mother tongue since these are very technical areas and cannot be taught simply because of being able to speak the language,” read the representation.

With English a compulsory subject in all schools, offering Alternative English deters students from opting for their mother tongue as an MIL subject, they stated.

“Therefore, we request your authority to kindly look into the above stated concerns for appointment of Language Teachers and removal of Alternative English as an MIL subject so that a concerted effort towards a proper rationalisation of Language Teachers and the course option for MIL can be worked out so as to adhere to the policies outlined in NEP 2020 as well as for the promotion and development of the vernacular language,” it read.

Further, they pointed out that Mokokchung district has 35 government high schools but only five higher secondary schools, “which is not sufficient to accommodate” successful students after matriculation. Despite having many recently upgraded GHSS in the state, there is not even a single GHS upgraded to GHSS since 2011 in Mokokchung district,” they added.

According to the four bodies, upgrading high schools to higher secondary schools “is the much-awaited development in the district.”.

Citing the visit of AKM to 58 schools in the district thus far, they also highlighted shortage as well as absence of various subject teachers in 16 schools: GMS Aonokpu, GMS Yajang A, GMS Tsurmen, GHS Tzurangkong, GPS Aosungkum, GPS Aosenden, GPS Aokum, GPS Watiyim, GPS Medemyim, GMS Chungtiayimsen, Yajen Aier GHS Mopungchuket, GMS Salukong (Chakpa), GPS Lakhuni, GPS Akumen, GMS Longzung (Chuchuyimlang), and GMS Nokpu.

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