High literacy rate not translating into jobs, says Nagaland Governor

Our Correspondent
Kohima, June 8 (EMN): Nagaland Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi, on Wednesday lamented lack of employment in the state despite high literacy rate and urged the people to retrospect in order to address it.

“As responsible citizens of this state, you are well aware that Nagaland is punching far below its weight. Our high literacy rates are not translating into jobs. Our hard-earned peace is not giving us economic prosperity. Being amongst the best that this state has to offer, you have to ask yourselves what you can do about this,” he said while addressing the felicitation programme of toppers, rank holders and recipients of various Governor’s Awards of High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) and Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) 2022, held in Dr. Imkongliba Ao Hall at Raj Bhavan, Kohima.

He told the gathering not to hesitate in incorporating the best practices of other cultures, while at the same time showcasing the values and strengths of one’s own society and community.

‘The feeling of compassion for humanity should be the guiding principle,’ he said.

He encouraged the students to advocate a healthy lifestyle, saying that he was pained to hear “dubious distinctions” in the country in terms of cancer and HIV incidences, drugs and alcohol abuse, tobacco use, etc. He also challenged them to be pioneers of change and become the torch-bearers for a new, vibrant and healthy Nagaland.

On opportunities

With artificial intelligence changing not just how society ‘does’ but also how it ‘thinks’, he said the challenges and opportunities ahead are immense.

“The institutions will need to adapt as well. They will need to innovate – both in terms of academic content and mechanism of delivery. New courses and programmes will have to be devised if our education system is to answer the needs of the next 25 or 30 years. Some of these may call for adopting a multi-disciplinary or interdisciplinary approach,” he added.

He said that the 21st century is described as the knowledge century and the knowledge-power will determine the position of a nation in the global community.

“Therefore, in the promotion of education, the task of the government is to help create the right environment in which the young minds will be fired with creativity. The National Education Policy of 2020 is a well-planned roadmap to develop an ecosystem that will nurture the talent of the young generation. The NEP aims to prepare them for the world of tomorrow, while also equipping them with the best of one’s own traditions,” he said while expressing hope that they would keep in mind the interest of the nation in whatever they do.

On performance of girls

On the trend of girls out-performing boys, he said that the “excellence displayed by women is a reflection of Nagaland’s future as a gender-just state” and conveyed special congratulations for their distinct achievement.

While congratulating all the students for their achievements, he lauded the teachers, staff and parents who made the achievements possible for the students.

Later in an interaction with student achievers, the governor lamented that even after post-graduation or graduation, many youths remain jobless.

‘However, education does not mean that one has to go for a government job only. The knowledge should be developed into a development skill,’ he said. He also suggested if the unemployed graduates could take up agriculture as their profession by adopting modern technology, as the government is there to extend help.

Education and social responsibilities

Advisor for School Education, KT Sukhalu urged the toppers to consider how they would use their academic prowess to address the needs of the community and the world. He encouraged them to be achievers not only in academics but also in all social responsibilities and focus on what they wanted to become.

He challenged the upcoming generation to build on all that has been learned and the way one looks and approaches the world.

“Do not stick to the comfort of the familiar because it is your responsibility to ensure that our society evolves and keeps up with the world,” he said.

Citing the recently published National Family Health Survey, he said the biggest reason among dropouts from school in 2019-2021 was ‘lack of interest in studies’ with 36% boys and 21% girls across the country giving that as a reason for choosing not to continue with their formal education.

While maintaining that the candidates of HSLC and HSSLC Examinations 2022 were affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which is evident in the significantly lowered pass percentage this year, he said each successful student has achieved something against the extraordinary odds of a pandemic even by simply choosing to continue in school.

He further called upon the teachers, especially in the elementary and primary level, to be more sincere, saying that the foundational level is very important.

“High school and higher secondary school teachers are finding it difficult to motivate students because the foundation appears to be very poor,” he said, adding that the future of the state lies in education.

Secretary of the Finance Department, Sushil Kumar Patel, and Superintendent of Police, Crime PHQ, Manoj Kumar also spoke at the programme.

Toppers and achievers awarded

NBSE Chairperson Asano Sekhose said while giving an introduction to the award that the Governor’s Award is given to the toppers of HSLC and HSSLC (all three streams) examinations conducted by the NBSE and carry a cash prize of INR 25,000 each and a certificate.

Former Governor of Nagaland, P B Acharya announced the awards to subject toppers in MILs and Skill Education subjects in 2017 and accordingly instituted the Awards by creating an Endowment Fund of INR 7 lakh. The interest accrued annually is taken to meet the awards. Each achiever is given INR 2000 in cash and a gift worth INR 1000, and from HSLC 2021, it was enhanced to 5000, she informed.

In 2021, former Governor RN Ravi instituted awards for best three performers from government schools in HSLC and HSSLC (one each in Arts, Science and Commerce) exams, wherein a cash award of INR 25000 is given to first position holder, INR 15000 for second position and INR 10000 for the third. He also instituted the Governor’s Award for students from eastern Nagaland districts, wherein best three performers in HSLC and HSSLC (Arts, Science, and Commerce) exams are given a cash award of INR 25000 for first position, INR 15000 for second and INR 10000 for third.

The ‘Governor’s Excellence Award in Science Study’, which was also instituted by Ravi, commenced this year. Under this, best six students from two subject combinations — Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics (PCM) and Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) – are awarded with INR 1, 00,000 for the first, INR 50,000 for second and INR 25,000 for third.

The NBSE Awards carry a cash award of INR 25,000 and a certificate to the toppers of HSLC and HSSLC (all three streams) examinations.