Nagaland Advisor for School Education, Dr Kekhrielhoulie Yhome has assured that the concerns over the shortage of teaching staff at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Sungro, would be addressed through immediate stopgap arrangements, while stating that certain demands raised by the school community would require longer-term policy and institutional solutions.
Addressing the media at the NIPUN Bharat Conference Room on Thursday, Yhome said the school has around 153 students, running from Class 6 to Class 12 and acknowledged that the absence of two subject teachers, particularly in English and Political Science, had affected academic activities.
He explained that the English teacher is currently on a six-month maternity leave, with approximately 50 percent of the Alternative English syllabus covered, while around 30 percent of the main English syllabus remains to be completed. He assured that a stopgap arrangement would be made, adding that the teacher is expected to rejoin the school next week.
The Political Science teacher has also recently proceeded on maternity leave. Yhome, however, pointed out that while the district education officer had been informed about the teachers’ leave, the Directorate of School Education had not received official intimation, highlighting the need for better communication between the school and the Directorate.
“These two things are not difficult to address. We will be addressing those,” he said.
On the additional demands raised in connection with the agitation over the shortage of teaching staff, Yhome said some of the requests were beyond the department’s present capacity. Referring to the demand for additional manpower, including a carpentry instructor and multi-tasking staff (MTS), he said the school already has seven MTS personnel besides the carpentry instructor, and questioned the necessity of further appointments.
Regarding the demand for a Lotha language teacher, the Advisor explained that the appointment of recognised language teachers remains challenging due to the absence of formal degree programmes in several tribal languages.
He said that, at present, Angami and Sumi are among the few tribal languages with academic programmes available up to higher levels of university education, enabling the department to consider qualified candidates for language teaching positions.
Yhome stressed that merely being a member of a particular tribe or being able to speak one’s mother tongue does not automatically qualify an individual to teach the language, as proficiency in reading and writing is equally important.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
He informed that the department had conducted a survey among primary teachers to identify those willing to transition into language teaching, with around 427 teachers expressing interest in converting their posts into language teacher positions.
The department, he said, is also working closely with tribal literature boards and universities to strengthen the development and formal recognition of indigenous languages. Discussions are underway to explore certification programmes, including postgraduate diploma and certificate courses, to create a recognised qualification pathway for prospective language teachers.
As an interim arrangement for Sungro GHSS, Yhome said the Hindi teacher currently posted at the school, who can speak, read and write Lotha, could be engaged to help address the immediate requirement.
He maintained that while the department recognises the importance of promoting mother-tongue education, the development of a proper academic and qualification framework remains essential for the appointment of language teachers.
Empowering Youth with Disabilities: Indus Towers Scholarship Program Celebrates a Decade of
Educational Excellence in North East India
77 students with disabilities from five Northeastern states receive educational scholarships for the
2026–27 academic session.
