In a letter to the Nagaland Parliamentary Secretary for School Education, the NSF informed that the federation had toured seven districts of the state from August 5 to 16 and interacted with representatives of Government High Schools, District Education Officers (DEOs) and federating units of the NSF.
NSF informed that many schools are facing acute shortage of teachers due to non-replacement of teachers after the massive exercise on promotion of Graduate Teachers (GTs) to Junior Education Officers (JEOs). As such, it urged the state government to immediately lift the ban on transfer & posting and strictly maintain the teacher-student ratio with the required number of teachers for every subject.
It then said that there is shortage of Math and Science, (MIL) teachers and suggested lifting the ban on appointment. It stated that all appointments should be made through competitive exam. The federation further urged the Department of School Education (DoSE) to formulate a firm policy to constantly assess the performance of students and persistently check the over-all performance of teachers. It lamented that there are certain teachers “who are not fit to teach, either physically or by qualification.” It demanded that the government take action against such teachers.
While stating that most Government High Schools and Higher Secondary schools do not have adequate enrollment, it advised that random upgradation of schools be stopped. It further called upon the DoSE to inspect the Government schools quarterly or at least twice in a calendar year.
Lamenting that there are some schools functioning without Maths, Science and Language teacher for the past 2-3 or even 5 years, the NSF demanded “exigency arrangements” to depute teachers to such schools.
It further informed that many schools lack basic infrastructures like Headmaster/Headmistress rooms, toilets and drinking water facilities, staff rooms and deteriorating school buildings. On this front, the federation demanded equal importance from the authorities concerned to address the issues.
The NSF also revealed that “many teachers are attached either in the directorate or with the elected members or even serving as Class I officers on deputation in other departments.” In this regard, it called upon the government to expedite the process of rationalization/re-deployment of teachers and demanded that those teachers should be deputed back to the parent department.
It further stated that “no teacher should be transferred in the middle of the academic year,” and urged the department to initiate stern action against teachers seeking transfer & posting according to their convenience. The DoSE should also strictly impose the undertakings signed by the teachers during the time of appointment, it added. Further, the NSF also suggested that the DoSE and the state government should contemplate introducing a sixth subject in all the schools.
With particular reference to the ‘Non-detention policy,’ the NSF stated that “since students are compulsorily promoted till class 8, facing examinations in class 9 and 10 becomes the biggest hurdle for them.” It claimed that after implementation of this policy; around 15,000 students have dropped out from schools in class 9. It is comprehended that more students will drop out of school in the coming years if the ‘Non-detention policy’ is continuously enforced, it added. As such, it proposed that the policy either be reviewed or revoked so that students are imparted the right education, particularly in the early stage of their academic career.
While strongly pressing upon the department concerned and the Nagaland state government to examine its proposals and suggestions, the NSF assured every possible help and support for the effective implementation of these proposals.
Source: Morung Express
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