The Lotha Students’ Union (LSU) and the Ralan Area Students’ Union (RASU) have expressed strong condemnation of the absence of teachers at the Yanpha Government Middle School under Bhandari Sub-Division, Wokha district.

It may be noted that a video has surfaced on social media recently that highlighted that the issue. In the video, students of the school and parents express their utter despair over the absence of teachers and urge the authorities to look into the matter.

The Office of the Lotha Students’ Union, in a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, Wokha, has stated that the “gross dereliction of duty has compromised students’ education, depriving them of essential reforms and betraying the trust reposed by parents and the community.” Condemning the “blatant neglect and apathy of the teaching staff” at Yanpha GMS, the student body has demanded an inquiry into the matter and urged the DC to take stern disciplinary action against the erring teachers.

Meanwhile, in a press release, the Office of the Ralan Area Students’ Union has stated that absence of teachers has been “a persistent issue in all the government schools under Ralan Area adding to which we have insufficient teachers.” Absenteeism and insufficient teachers seem to have no end which leads to poor enrollment and high drop-out rates, it added.

RASU also said that absenteeism of teachers and practice of proxy teachers are some major concerns to inadequacy of education in the area and appealed to the concern authorities/ departments to carry out an immediate investigation and take appropriate action against the appointed teachers in Yanpha village.