The Rising People’s People called on Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome, Advisor of School Education, Government of Nagaland, in Kohima where the party representatives submitted its suggestions to make the department “more efficient and professional.” During the meeting on 3 November, the RPP recommended for a separate education policy for the state of Nagaland.
The Advisor “is committed to putting structural changes in place and it’s important for all the stakeholders to support him as he undertakes a very challenging mission,” RPP stated in its press release.
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The other points submitted by the Rising People’s People to Dr Yhome are-
- “That the post of Principal Director (IAS) be done away with. Having too many power centers in a department will erode the efficiency of any department at the cost of efficiency and professional dedication.
- That a Teachers’ Recruitment Board be set up. We acknowledge your concern regarding the feasibility of NSSB or NPSC conducting teachers’ recruitment. This recruitment board, however, may be set up in such a manner that department officials are not involved in the recruitment process so as to prevent conflict of interest.
- The unfortunate malaise in the department is the more than eager-beaver attitude of department officials concerning ‘developmental’ activities rather than concentrating on students’ welfare which is another contributing factor for the poor state of government schools. Again, past claims of shortage of funds for the poor performance of schools in the state is disingenuous and ludicrous. The number one problem with the DoSE is poor management.
- That, in any case, the salaries of teachers (police personnel and health workers) should not be delayed under any circumstances. This fact is striking when compared to the non-teaching staff and officials who do not face such issues. The numerous strikes/protests over the past few years is testament to the fact that health of our education is perhaps the least of concern for the state government.
- That the yearly state budget should incorporate enough funds for the department needs no elaboration. Out of the overall Rs. 1781 Cr earmarked for all the departments under “Approved Sectoral Outlays for 2023-24” the School Education department received a miserly Rs. 12 Cr, which is shockingly only 0.67% of the total outlay. DUDA allocation is even higher than DoSE at Rs. 23 Cr. The Delhi government allocated 21% of its total budget to education during 2023-24. Such misplaced priorities buttresses the point that the state government is least concerned with quality education in the state.
- That there’s no need for Yoga teachers in the schools. That Yoga is both a physical and a spiritual exercise is an established fact, and their continued presence is against our ethos and culture.”
The Rising People’s People also informed that the Advisor clarified that the School Education Department was not appointing Yoga teachers in Nagaland