Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland to intensify agitation over teacher shortage

DIMAPUR — The Zeliang Students’ Union Nagaland (ZLSU) on Friday announced the second phase of its intensified agitation in Peren district, beginning on October 29, in response to the perceived inaction of the Nagaland School Education department regarding shortage of teachers in several schools.

Earlier, in a press release on Oct. 11, the ZLSU had informed that the first phase of agitation had started on Oct. 9 by way of closing down all educational offices in the district, “however the second phase will include closure of all the government-established schools and educational offices under Peren district.”

On Friday, in a letter addressed to the deputy commissioner of Peren, the union expressed disappointment over the “indifferent attitude” of the School Education department in addressing their demands even as the closure of offices has “entered its fifteenth day with no significant progress.”

The ZLSU’s demands pertain to the retention or replacement of math and science teachers in five schools: GMS Nkialwa, GMS Mpai, GHS Mbaulwa, GMS Punglwa, and GHSS Tening. The union has argued that the recent rationalisation exercise by the Department of School Education (DoSE), which involved transferring teachers without replacement, has severely impacted the quality of education in these schools.

Further, considering the “silence and indifference” of the department, the union stated that it would “execute its second phase of intensified agitation from the 29th of October, 2024 until our demands are wholly achieved.”

“The Directorate of school Education, Nagaland: Kohima shall be held responsible for any untoward incidence that may so arise from this agitation,” it added.

Meanwhile, the ZLSU acknowledged that it had received a letter from the All Nagaland School Teachers’ Association (ANSTA) Peren unit, raising concerns on the negative impact of shutting offices. However, the union maintained that it is equally concerned about the progress of students in the absence of subject teachers. “The welfare and academic excellence of students are our top priority and we will stand for their cause,” it asserted.

Meanwhile, Principal Director of School Education, Thavaseelan K, told this newspaper that the SDEO district officials will have a meeting with the ZLSU early next week. After that, the Department of School Education will convene another meeting with the student union and try to resolve the issues in the coming week.