Temshinaro and S Henlly Phom
Dimapur, September 5
To mark Teachers’ Day celebration in the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with thousands of school children at Manekshaw Centre in the national capital New Delh. The school children from all over the country took part in the programme through TV, radio and internet which was broadcast live. In Dimapur, a few schools also set out to attempt to be a part of this occasion.
But contrary to expectations, the logistics proved too challenging and the number of schools in the district expected to participate fell below expected numbers. Many schools both private and government could not overcome hurdles of electricity problem, internet connectivity problem and setting up a cable connections. Confused communication between the department and schools also added to the unpreparedness. So much so that the Government High School (GHS) of Lingrijan who were directed by the DEO Dimapur office to arrange for the programme failed to meet the deadline. A senior teacher of the school said the transformer in their locality which was damaged recently was still under repair and they could not make any other alternate arrangement.
Even then those who managed to get their act together had a tough time. GPS at Kevijau who had arranged for the programme at Kevijau community hall faced power failure in the beginning. After desperately struggling to arrange for a generator at their own expense, they managed to secure 80 students as captive audience.
GPS in Mishikito also witnessed the PM’s Teachers’ Day speech outside the school. But teachers were seen translating the PM’s response to students querries in Nagamese and English as the PM spoke in Hindi. 156 students were present to be a part of the programme.
GMS Naharbari made arrangements differently. Taking into consideration the problems and inconveniences which may hinder the programme like power failure, cable connection, Asenla, one of the teacher of the school, arranged the programme at her house. Here more than 100 children comfortably witnessed the programme without any problems.
Much is being debated over the ‘intent’ of the PM addressing students on Teachers’ Day but the day regrettably proved that the daily problems that plague the citizens also haunt our children in schools.
When other states of the country are far ahead in education sector moving with the technology world, our state seem to be missing out even the basic facilities. The day which should have been a historic one turned out otherwise.
