Sukhalu calls for comprehensive education system

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 5 (EMN): Advisor for School Education KT Sukhalu on Sunday called for a comprehensive education system to reform and improve the sector, in order to create an inclusive society.

Lauding the efforts of all teachers despite the challenges during the pandemic, he stated that society was becoming more inclusive as it progressed while persons such as children with disabilities and special needs, who could not have dreamed of an education even 10 years ago in the state, can now attend school. 

He stated this while congratulating the teacher awardees during the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration at the directorate of School Education.

Mentioning how the current pandemic has shown how education has to adapt to circumstances, irrespective of whether one is prepared or willing, Sukhalu stated that “education is ever changing and evolving, both the subject matter and the methods of teaching are constantly being upgraded.”

“If we want a better future for our children and grandchildren, we must start by improving our teachers,” Sukhalu said.

While encouraging all teachers to introspect on their role as educators in society, he said they were “invaluable” and that they were the men and women who were “shaping our future”.

 “Your words and actions in the classrooms and on the playground will influence the future citizens of the state and country,” he said.

He reminded the teachers that they were “already influencing the debates and decisions that will take place in 20 to 50 years from now.”

“You as teachers will decide if our state will rise or fall; your role is by no means insignificant,” Sukhalu said, while asking the teachers with the weight of the future in their hands, whether they were living up to the responsibility they have undertaken when they chose teaching as their profession.

Meanwhile, the advisor urged the heads of institutions and teachers to have better coordination and carry forward the guidelines/instructions given by School Education, Nagaland Board of School Education or State Council of Educational Research and Training in order to achieve better outcomes.

With the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he informed that more changes were coming into the system and schools needed to embrace the changes to reform and improve the education sector.

Also apprising about the foundational literacy programme under NEP 2020 which must be given due importance at the pre-primary level, he emphasised on primary education which should provide a strong grasp of the basics so that students do not struggle in the higher classes.

 Stressing on conceptual learning and competency-based assessment, he said teachers should nurture the potential of each and every student, and that the ability of each child should be considered to provide meaningful education.

 In order to bring about changes into the system, Sukhalu urged all the teachers to participate in the capacity building programme and national initiative for school heads’ and teachers’ holistic advancement (NISHTHA) for upgrading their skills and taking the teaching profession to a higher level.

 While informing how continuous professional development (CPD) of teachers is an extremely important element of the school education ecosystem, he said NEP 2020 envisaged each teacher participate in at least 50 hours of CPD opportunities every year for their own professional development.

 He informed that CPD opportunities would in particular systematically cover the latest pedagogies regarding foundational literacy and numeracy, formative and adaptive assessment of learning outcomes, competency based learning, and related pedagogies, such as experiential learning, arts-integrated, sports-integrated, and storytelling-based approaches, etc.

 Also speaking during the occasion, Kevileno Angami, special secretary of School Education, reminded how the country celebrates Teacher’s Day on September 5 every year on the birth anniversary of Dr. S Radhakhrishnan, a teacher, who was also the first vice president of India.

She laid down emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of the teachers in nurturing and moulding the young minds while enabling them to strengthen the basis and development of the country. Stating that teachers were the “backbone of the society”, the officer explained how the educators recognised the potential of their students and gave them direction to become “agents of change and responsible citizens”.  

She said that without teachers, ‘society would not be having our leaders, doctors, administrators, lawyers, astronauts, scientists, national builders, etc’.

Angami added that teachers not only impart education and knowledge to the children but they also give them “ethical and moral lives”. As such, she asserted that the role of the teachers was immense and challenging. “Their life itself is a challenging life because they have to live exemplary lives for the children whom they teach,” she said.

During the programme, the first newsletter of the directorate of School Education was also released.

 Scores of teachers awarded

State awards for 2020 and 2021 were also conferred to scores of teachers on the occasion.

A total of 21 teachers — 11 from government and 10 from private schools — were felicitated while award roll of honor 2020 included seven teachers from private and six from government institutes.

Meanwhile, an amount of INR 20,000 have been set aside each for Ngongang, assistant teacher of Phom Lempong School, Longleng and Hode Tsory, assistant teacher of Kiddies Corner School, Phek as financial assistance to teachers for 2021.

For financial assistance to teachers, 2020, INR 20,000 has also been set aside each for Tosovi, primary teacher of GMS Jakhama, Kohima; Chubatoba, graduate teacher from GPS Kichutip, Mokokchung; and Imsuinla, assistant teacher of Holy Cross School, Dimapur.

During the event, Teacher’s day messages from the governor and chief minister of Nagaland as well as the directorate of School Education were also read out.

It may be mentioned that the state-level Teachers’ Day programme last year was not celebrated owing to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pandemic.