Teachers asked to be role model for adolescent girls

Kohima Bureau
Kohima, April 17 (EMN): Taking into consideration over the prevailing rate of school dropouts among the girls in schools, the District Education Office, Kohima, has organised ‘Adolescence girls’ awareness’ programme on April 17 in the deputy commissioner’s conference hall.
Adolescence is considered as one of the most challenging stages of human life. A significant transitional phase from childhood to adulthood – adolescence is a time of both discovery as well as disorientation, a crucial stage where they need the support, encouragement and guidance from adults the most.
Speaking as the resource person, assistant state coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women Development (SRCW), Juliana Medom, explained in detail the various stages and aspects of adolescent development – physical, social, emotional, intellectual, behavioural and moral.
Stating that adolescent years present a challenge for the parents, children and teachers, Medom, while addressing a host of head teachers from government schools under Kohima district, said teachers play a crucial role in the lives of the adolescence as a role model, guide, facilitator and a friend to help them develop a balanced personality.
With the change of time, she maintained that teachers should be trained and well aware of the social issues that are confronting the society today and develop a ‘know-how’ to deal with those issues in the school campuses.
Emphasising on the importance of creating a girl friendly system in the school, Medom cited some real life incidents in the state wherein girl students were discriminated by the teachers themselves resulting in drop-outs.
Towards this end, Medom asserted that teachers cannot simply close their eyes to the issue and be contented only to complete the school curriculum. Rather, she said teachers, as a facilitator, guide and friend can help the young adolescents to explore self-belief, perseverance and resilience.
Stressing on the need to educate girl child, she stated her belief that perhaps, educating adolescent girls may be the only way to put an end to the seemingly never-ending cycle of issues like, dropouts, low attendance, low age of marriage and low status of women.
She also presented a brief introduction on ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,’ a social campaign of the Government of India that aims to prevent gender biased sex selective elimination, ensure survival and protection of the girl child and ensure education and participation of the girl child.
Medom informed that BBBP was first taken up in Longleng district, which has been identified as the gender critical district in the state. Subsequently, SRCW has been providing technical and coordination support to the district administration towards implementation of BBBP scheme.
She further informed that BBBP will be taken up in Mon, Wokha, Peren, Mokokchung and Phek in collaboration with the district administration of the concern districts.
Speaking in brief on ‘career support for girls’ Vitsino Iralu, a lawyer, presented a list and guidelines on various career options, which she hoped might help in preparing and equip them as they graduate from school.
The programme was chaired by assistant DEO, Kohima, Kepelhuzo Terhüja, while the vote of thanks was proposed by DEO, Kohima, Piholi Swunetho.