On the occasion of Teacher’s Day on September 5, 2023, Adviser of School Education Department & SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, announced that, all schools in the state will no longer conduct classes on Saturday.
He announced this while addressing a state-level Teachers’ Day programme organised by the Department of School Education at the NBCC conventional hall here on Tuesday. Dr Yhome explained that the logic behind the decision was that teachers were unappreciated despite giving their best. He said “teachers are not slaves” as they are made to work six days a week. He said teachers cannot be made to spend entire six days working as they also have to give time for their families. Hence, he announced that all schools, especially private schools, would no longer have regular classes on Saturdays. “Children too need time and environment that is outside the classroom for a holistic development,” he stated.
The above said statement was given by Adviser School Education Department & SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome on 5 September 2023 but 16 September 2023 was a Saturday and yet it was seen that many schools in Dimapur were open with regular classes. When enquired about it, the school authorities replied that no official order has been served from the DEO office so the schools will be open. Our honourable Adviser School Education Department & SCERT, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome sir’s statement was clear that as a mark of respect to the teachers this decision was taken but I just want to highlight why the official order was not sent to DEO offices. Another issue is that, the school authorities so into opening on Saturdays that even after the statement and the reason behind it was so clear, they want an official order to give holidays on Saturdays to teachers.
As teachers we don’t have a problem with taking classes, it is our responsibility and we are happy to do it. But as it was said “Teachers are not slaves”, I want to add that teachers are also not fools.
Just like me, I am sure many teachers must have already made plans with their families on how they will spend these Saturday holidays. As we all know, the entire state is closed on Sundays, so if we have any other work be it official work or shopping, outing with family or to visit someone, even to have a haircut we have to plan. These Saturday holidays would have been a big relief to teachers who don’t want to be absent on weekdays thinking about their responsibilities and students.
It is my humble request to the concerned departments that if the said order has to be followed please pass a proper order and make sure that it is followed or else the teachers will always suffer as they have been suffering for the past many decades.
Submitted by
A School Teacher
