Nagaland PHED minister bats for greater focus on technical education

DIMAPUR — Government schools in Nagaland are facing a shortage of teachers in the fields of science, mathematics, and technical education, stated the Minister of Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and Cooperation, Jacob Zhimomi, on Thursday.

Speaking during the Golden Jubilee celebration (1973-2023) of Government High School Khaghaboto, in the Niuland district, the minister said that the state government had invited teachers with expertise in science and mathematics, from across the country, in an effort to bolster the teaching faculty in these subjects.

Describing the two subjects as indispensable, he said students would not be adequately prepared without it, rendering the education system incomplete.

Citing global rankings that predominantly feature successful students from science and technical backgrounds, he asserted the importance of placing greater emphasis on technical subjects. Furthermore, he urged parents and teachers to guide high school students in choosing their subjects wisely.

The minister expressed hope that the Government High School Khaghaboto would produce meritorious students in the fields of science, technology, and various other professions. While acknowledging the possibility of facing limitations, he stressed the importance of working together to establish a robust faculty.

Zhimomi also called upon the school management to address fundamental requirements such as water facilities, drinking water, and restroom facilities, among others.

During the event, H Akaito Sema, a faculty member of the school, gave insights into the history of the school, primarily derived from oral accounts provided by a few surviving elders, as no specific records or documents from the period of 1973-1979 were available.

He informed that the school was established in 1973 and privately managed, providing education up to Class 2. Subsequently, it received government approval to expand its operations from Class 3 to 6 on November 17, 1980, before it was officially taken over by the government in 1983.

The school was upgraded to Class 8 in 1987 and then to High School in 2010-2011, he informed.

At present, the school has 111 students (enrolled for the year 2023), he informed, adding that it is led by Vitheli as assistant headmistress with 16 teaching staff and seven non-teaching staff.

Sema also apprised the minister about the requirements of the school, including an auditorium and the construction of a school boundary wall.

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