Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) has blamed the NPF-led DAN government for the poor performance of government schools in the recent HSLC examination with only 37.25% pass against the “outstanding percentage of 88.36% “ by private schools.
In a statement, NPCC Media Cell,alluded the declining standards and poor results by government schools to “random politicisation of education over the past decade” by the NPF-led DAN government.
It pointed out that the NPF-led DAN appointed thousands of teachers “through backdoor” and “transfers with post”, resulting in over staffing in urban areas and leaving a skeletal strength in rural areas. In addition, it said the NPF-led DAN also regularised “ad hoc bogus teachers” under education department.
Such a situation has led to preference for administrative assignment and reluctance to take up teaching assignment among government teachers, it said.
NPCC pointed out that the Centre provided thousands of crore rupees under SSA and RMSA to augment quality of teachers, school infrastructure, free uniform and text book for students, mid-day meal
scheme but the schemes have instead, turned into a “source of embezzlement for some corrupt leaders and officials”.
NPCC alleged that the NPF-led DAN turned a blind eye to the practise of substitution and misappropriation of funds under SSA and RMSA schemes which it said, had “hampered the growth” of government schools .
It pointed to a “ground reality” of “nonexistent teachers and random placement of unqualified substitutes” that have become a malady.
NPCC pointed out to the dilapidated infrastructure of schools by citing the example of GHS Tamlu government high school which lies in a “crumbled state” as published in the local media on May 11.
It also alleged that the “pathetic nonexistent infrastructure in most government schools, especially in rural areas” is skewed in relation to the ratio of teachers who outnumber students.
NPCC demanded that the NPF-led DAN government stop siphoning of funds meant for the development of government schools and hold officials accountable for their acts at all levels. NPCC also blamed government teachers.
Reacting to the dismay on the performance of government schools by chief minister Neiphiu Rio as reported on May 23, NPCC said the onus was with him since he has been at the helm for the past ten years.
It said chief minister and the school education minister, under DAN-III have to fix accountability on factors responsible rather than shifting the blame “before it is too late”.