Ruling and opposition agree: Govt. teachers need to do more

Kohima, Sep. 18 (EMN): On Tuesday, there was an agreement in the Nagaland Legislative Assembly session, at least among prominent members from both the ruling and opposition that the government teachers in the state need to do more. The statement of agreement was that govt. teachers were ‘more experienced in agitations’ than teaching students.

Opposition MLA and former Home Minister Imkong L Imchen said during the assembly session on Tuesday that the performance of govt. schools cannot be compared with private schools as far as merit was concerned. He pointed out that the salary component and the workload was also different but the government teachers were ‘more experienced in staging strikes and agitation than any other state or employees but not on their students’ performances in the annual examinations.’

Stating that the issue should not be the concern of the minister in charge alone, he suggested that the entire House work together and discuss what should be done about the performance of government school teachers. He said ‘real focus’ is needed.

The leader of the House, Rio, admitted that government schools have not been performing well over the years. Welcoming the suggestion of the opposition MLA, Rio asserted that the teaching profession was ‘honourable.’ Therefore, the outcome should correspond with the perks: “Let us give joint efforts to wipe out the proxy teachers, ghost teachers, and all kinds of teachers who are not attending their duties but drawing their pay,” the chief minister said.

99 schools in Nagaland without mathematics, science teachers
Also, in a startling revelation, Neiphiu Rio disclosed that 99 government schools in Nagaland had no teachers for mathematics and science.

Replying to a query raised by opposition MLA Y Vikheho Swu, the chief minister said 17 schools were in Zunheboto district; 15 in Dimapur; 13 in Tuensang; 11 in Mon; ten in Longleng; eight in Peren; seven each in Phek and Wokha; four each in Kiphire and Mokokchung; and three in Kohima.

Currently, the state’s Education department has 1660 mathematics and science teachers, Rio said.

In response to a question whether or not the School Education department had appointed any untrained graduate teachers and primary teachers since March 2018, the chief minister said 43 untrained teachers were appointed to retirement vacancies, out of which four were ad-hoc and 39 were appointed on grounds of compassion. He said these were proposed during October 2017 and accordingly, the P&AR clearance was given. He informed that there were 9, 155 primary teachers and 3, 361 graduate teachers under ‘state creation.’

On the number of vacancies that has accumulated in ‘state creation,’ the chief minister said that there were 249 primary teachers and 66 graduate teachers so far. Although no date has been scheduled to fill the vacancies, he said it would be done through the department selection board in accordance with rule-6B of the Nagaland School Education Service Rules of 2017.

Rio pointed out that the department was in a mess and a lengthy exercise was being undertaken by the government to sort it out.

“Once that is sorted out, checking the requirement of the respective schools, we will conduct recruitment as per the rules of the department,” he said.

Leader of Opposition TR Zeliang expressed displeasure at the replies being given by the chief minister and not by the advisors in charge of the departments. He alleged that the advisors were not being allowed to perform. “Empower them or do away (with them). The stand of the government should be very clear, he said. The former chief minister Zeliang also objected to the question hour not being extended.