The Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) has declared to commence its 2nd phase of agitation with effect from September 15 on the failure to address the demand of ENSF by the Department of School Education for retention/deployment of teachers to the affected schools in Eastern region.
Accordingly, all federating units have been directed to seal down all Government offices; closed down all Government schools and restrict movement of government registered vehicles.
However, the Federation said that district administration offices, medial, police, fire and emergency services, power, paramilitary and banking services are exempted.
ENSF warns of intensifying agitation over teacher rationalisation order
The Eastern Nagaland Students’ Federation (ENSF) has warned of escalating its ongoing agitation against the Department of School Education’s teacher rationalisation order, alleging that the directive has disproportionately affected schools in the eastern districts.
Addressing a press conference at its headquarters in Tuensang on September 14, ENSF leaders briefed the media about the reasons behind the agitation and expressed disappointment over the government’s failure to respond to its repeated appeals.
According to ENSF, the rationalisation order first issued in February 2025 was strongly opposed by its federating units, who pointed out severe adverse impacts on schools in the region. Despite multiple representations to the government and the department, the federation said its concerns were ignored.
Although the government temporarily put the order, the revised notification issued on August 22, 2025, reportedly contained “hardly any changes,” further deepening the crisis for eastern schools.
ENSF submitted a representation on August 26, expressing “disappointment and dissatisfaction” and demanding that adequate teachers be redeployed to schools facing acute shortages. With no response from the authorities, ENSF issued an ultimatum on September 3. However, it claimed the department again failed to engage in dialogue.
“We are yet to receive even a call or text message from the department. This clearly shows their attitude towards the student community,” an ENSF president, Nuheymong told the media.
The federation has since launched a democratic agitation, now in its fourth day, and warned that it would intensify protests if the government continues to remain “adamant.” ENSF maintained that it would not be held responsible for any fallout from the agitation.
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The core demand of ENSF is the redeployment of teachers transferred out of the eastern districts under the rationalisation order, including primary, graduate, and subject teachers. The federation alleged that despite assurances during past recruitments, teachers posted in the region were transferred elsewhere, leaving schools understaffed.
ENSF also issued an open letter on September 8 in response to remarks made by the Advisor for School Education during a meeting on September 3, when, according to the federation, he dismissed their concerns as “nonsense.” The federation termed the comment “unfortunate and uncalled for,” adding that such incidents should not recur.
The ENSF also reaffirming its stand, ENSF said: “Until justice is delivered to our students, the federation will continue and intensify the agitation. Every child has the right to education, and we will ensure that this right is not denied to the eastern region.”
Meanwhile, Konyak Students’ Union (KSU), Chang Wedoshi Setshang (CWS) and Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako (YAA) have directed its subordinate units to follow the directives of the Eastern Naga Students’ Federation (ENSF) while participating in the 2nd phase of agitation with effect from September 15.
