Mokokchung, August 24 (MExN): The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) today expressed dismay over what it termed the reduction of the rationalisation of government teachers in Nagaland into a system of “favouritism and preferential treatment.”
The AKM’s observation came against the backdrop of the recent transfer and posting of teachers notification issued on August 22 by the Directorate of School Education, based on the rationalisation policy.
In theory, rationalisation is intended as a policy to optimise human resources and improve learning outcomes. However, the notification appears to prioritise the personal interests of teachers over the educational needs of students, reducing the system to ‘favouritism and preferential treatment,’ in practice, it added.
Among other concerns, the AKM flagged the transfer of teachers in the middle of the academic session, disrupting the continuity of education. It also maintained that the rationalisation process has failed to consider schools already struggling without sufficient teaching faculty.
Many teacher transfers have been carried out in schools facing staffing shortages, but schools with an excess of teachers have not been addressed, it added, illustrating examples from some schools in Mokokchung district. The department seems to be disregarding the issue of excess teachers in certain schools, it noted.
“This arbitrary approach clearly undermines the quality of education, particularly in rural areas, where students are already at a disadvantage,” it added.
Accordingly, the AKM asserted that it cannot remain a silent spectator while discriminatory treatment is meted out to rural schools and contended that no child should be deprived of quality education “simply because rules are bent to suit the whims and fancies of a few individuals.”
In this connection, the AKM directed all government schools under Mokokchung district not to issue release orders to teachers serving in schools already facing a shortage of faculty. “Joining reports must not be accepted from teachers posted to schools where the teachers are already in excess,” it added.
The apex Ao students’ body also affirmed that it takes the “loopholes” in the present rationalisation process very seriously and stated that it remains committed to ensuring that students are not deprived of quality education due to the absence or shortage of teachers.
“Our stand is clear — Education must remain Student Centered,” it added, urging cooperation from all stakeholders.
