Advisor, School Education, KT Sukhalu handing over the Nagaland State Teachers’ Award in Kohima on September 5. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | September 5
Nagaland today paid respect to teachers across the state during the State Level Teachers’ Day celebration in Kohima on September 5. The State Teachers’ Award for the year 2020 and 2021 was handed over to teachers in recognition of their contributions.
Addressing the function, KT Sukhalu, Advisor, School Education commended all teachers for the work they do, especially given the challenges of the present pandemic.
“Education is ever changing and evolving, both the subject matter and the methods of teaching are constantly being upgraded. It is your duty to ensure that you are up to date to ensure that you can teach your best to the children in your care,” Sukhalu stated.
He said the current global pandemic has shown how education has to adapt to circumstances, irrespective of whether people are prepared or willing.
Inclusive education
“Society is becoming more inclusive as it progresses; persons who could not have dreamed of an education even 10 years ago in our state can now attend schools,” he said.
He challenged the teachers to prepare to embrace such change “because an inclusive education system will create an inclusive society.”
The Advisor urged the heads of institutions and the teachers to have better coordination and carry forward the guidelines and instructions given by the Department of School Education, Nagaland Board of School Education and SCERT “so that we can achieve better outcomes.”
With the National Education Policy 2020, more changes are coming into the system, we need to embrace the changes to reform and improve the education sector, he said.
Sukhalu added that foundational literacy and literacy programmes under the NEP 2020 must be given due importance at the pre primary level. “Primary education must provide a strong grasp of the basics so that the student doesn’t struggle in the higher classes. We must focus on conceptual learning and competencies based assessment from now on,” he said.
He further urged the teachers to nurture the potential of every student, stating that the ability of each child should be considered so as to provide meaningful education.
Capacity building
Sukhalu meanwhile urged all the teachers to participate in the capacity building programme under the National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement (NISHTHA) in order to bring about changes in the system.
All teachers must register and upgrade their skills and take the teaching profession to a higher level, he said. The Advisor viewed that Continuous Professional Development (CPD) of teachers is an extremely important element in the school education ecosystem.
He said the new Education Policy 2020 envisages that each teacher will participate in at least 50 hours of CPD opportunities every year for their professional development.
“If we want a better future for our children and grandchildren, we must start by improving our teachers,” he said and encouraged all teachers to introspect on their role as educators in society.
“You are invaluable as you are the men and women who are shaping our future. Your words and actions in the classrooms and on the playground will influence the future citizens of the state and country,” he said.
Sukhalu meanwhile reminded that teachers are already influencing the debates and decisions that will take place 20 to 50 years from now.
“You as teachers will decide if our state will rise or fall; your role is by no means insignificant. Hence I now ask you this question: with the weight of the future in your hands, are you living up to the responsibility you have undertaken when you chose to become a teacher?,” he challenged.
Avoiding ‘learning loss’
Nagaland School Education Special Secretary, Kevileno Angami recognized that the COVID-19 pandemic has made the role and responsibility of teachers challenging.
Due to closure of schools across the globe including Nagaland, “we have had to adopt online mode of teaching and the responsibility and challenges of the teachers have become more intense,” she said. They have had to adopt online teaching so that there is no learning loss amongst children.
Further, she said that with the changing times, teachers have to constantly update their knowledge; be abreast with technology; ensure that there is no learning loss; and continue to engage children in learning.
Teachers’ Day messages from Nagaland Governor, RN Ravi and Chief Minister, Neiphiu Rio were also read out during the occasion.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by School Education Director, Wonthungo Tsopoe while vote of thanks was proposed by Additional Director, Razouseyi Vese.
