Rio says technical education, not theory, will decide future jobs in NE

North Town school marks 25 years of existence  A Staff Reporter DIMAPUR, MARCH 5 Member of the Parliament Neiphiu Rio has advised educational institutions in Nagaland to consider technical education for the fact that jobs in the northeast region by the year 2022 will require industrial standard education and not ‘theory.’ North Town Higher Secondary School, a school located in the heart of Chumukedima town started in the year 1991 with just 48 students and 9 teachers, has reached a milestone of 25 years of existence. The anniversary was celebrated today at the school’s campus with Lok Sabha Member of Parliaments Neiphiu Rio as the chief guest for the event. Congratulating the school on reaching its silver jubilee, Neiphiu Rio credited the pioneers of the school saying that they started the institution with a vision to serve the society while devoting and sacrificing ‘everything with a sole aim of providing quality education along with spiritual growth.’ ‘Skill development’ is a must in any profession along with quality education, said the former chief minister of Nagaland. He said that the Naga people form the most backward society in the country but is now becoming ‘one of the most forward societies with the coming of Christianity and education in the state.’ ‘You cannot be a casual person to compete in this competitive world’, said Rio while stating that the world no longer follows theoretical education but technical education. Speaking during the celebration, he also said that mere qualification will not bring employment if one was not professionally skilled and technically trained. Calling education the most powerful weapon and educating the society the best investment, the Lok Sabha member advised the parents to mould and educate the children to bring them up as assets for the society. Also, describing that the only dream of parents was that their children secure ‘government jobs’, the chief guest said that such a ‘mind block’ should be removed. Every job, be it private, self-employment or government jobs, are the same, he said. He reiterated that ‘government jobs’ should in fact be the last option; the state sector has reached a point of saturation. Neiphiu Rio also said that one should be professionally educated and skilled in order to find employment in this competitive world. He said this while highlighting that by 2022, 2.6 million jobs would be created in the northeast region itself. More than 17 million youths will be seeking jobs but that only the skilled and technically-trained youths will find one, he said. Calling schooling as the most important part of one’s life, the chief guest advised the parents and teachers to mould the students and shape them, teaching them the right habits. ‘Bad habits, if not corrected, becomes a character that never changes,’ Rio said. To all the students present, he said ‘it is time to study hard and grow with integrity and live a disciplined life’. The school that started with thatch house is now marbled and boasts of standard required facilities for imparting quality education. Yachütuonuo Tsükru Danü of the 2008 HSLC batch spoke on behalf of the alumni. The former pupil said that ‘upbringing in the school was a unique experience,’ and called it ‘the best experience.’ She said, ‘True education, according to me, does not necessarily mean becoming an IAS, IFS etc, but that every educated person should be an asset to the society by contributing in anyway he/she can. He should never be a liability to the society.’ In her speech, Danu suggested her fellow alumni to come up with an alumni group while staying in contact with the school that built their lives. North Town Higher Secondary School was established 25 years back with motto ‘Bear Good Fruits.’ Today, the institution has 950 students with 36 teaching and nonteaching staffers. The school is housed in an RCC building with spacious classrooms, with facilities such as a science lab, a computer lab, smart classrooms and classes monitored by CCTV. An attached hostel serves the residential students. Neiphiu Rio also released the 25th anniversary souvenir and unveiled the monolith set up to mark the celebrations. The celebration witnessed various cultural activities performed by the students.