Advisor school education, KT Sukhalu, has asserted that delivering quality education was the need of the hour as the government schools in the state have the best trained and qualified teachers.
Speaking at the general conference of the Nagaland SSA Teachers’ Association (NSSATA) at the Kohima College here Friday, the advisor expressed serious over the continued practice of keeping proxy teachers in government-run schools and reminded the teachers that they would reap what they sow today.
Sukhalu said he has already appealed to the village education committee and the village councils not to encourage the teachers to keep proxy teachers. He also said that it was wrong for the teachers to get paid when there was hardly any enrolment in elementary section. “Where are the teachers if there are no students,” he queried.
Admitting delay in salary disbursement to SSA teachers, the advisor, however, expressed shock depite poor enrolment in elementary section the teachers were getting paid fully. He cautioned that quality education cannot be expected if the trend continued.
Citing a number of issues that were plaguing the department, the advisor said to undo the past was not an easy task as it needed time and commitment. He also said it was not easy for the department to address all the issues raised by more than 15 associations within the department.
Stating that Nagaland has huge human resource but was fully dependent on government funding, Sukhalu has asked the teachers not to inspire their students to become government servants alone.
Appreciating the Government Higher Secondary Schools for performing well, the advisor, however, lamented that most government high schools were yet to improve. In this regard, the adviser urged the teachers rededicate themselves to in the profession that they chose. Disclosing that streamlining of SSA 2010 and 2013 batches were currently going on, Sukhalu asked the teachers to be patient till things get done.
Also, on induction of GT to PGT, Sukhalu said it would be done soon.
He, however, reminded the teachers not to seek for their choice of posting, but to accept any place of posting.
Sukhalu said many of the teachers were very talented and could contribute to the society in many ways. He exuded confidence that the teachers would put the department in the right perspective.
In his address, principal secretary Menukhol John said it was painful to see the department getting fragmented with numerous associations within the department. He said the department was not able to bring out the assistant head masters or graduate teacher seniority list because of internal differences.
Towards this, he said the department was trying its best to address the issues.
Reiterating that government was sincere to address all issues, John reminded the teachers of their responsibilities while fighting for their rights, saying “rights and responsibilities are equally important”.
School education director, Wonthung Tsopoe, in his address, asked the teachers to introspect how committed they were and said that teachers chose teaching profession thereby people had high expectation from them.
Expressing regret that respect for teachers was declining, the director said there was a need to restore the image of the teachers.
He pointed out that today many government teachers were well qualified, but were not committed. In this regard, he urged the teachers to take up teaching profession in mission mode and to be satisfied with what they deliver to the people.
Ebenezer Baptist Church, Kohima Pastor Rev. Keviyiekielie Linyü offered dedicatory prayer for the teachers.