Govt schools in Mokokchung face crisis

45-day ultimatum served to education dept

Dimapur, July 4 (MExN): In a culmination of mounting concerns over the deteriorating state of school education in Mokokchung district, three apex organizations of the Ao community - Ao Senden, Watsü Mungdang and Ao Kaketshir Mungdang have served a joint ultimatum to the Department of School Education, Government of Nagaland, demanding urgent and concrete remedial measures.

The ultimatum, addressed to the Commissioner & Secretary, marks a significant escalation in the ongoing discourse over educational governance in the district. It follows the submission of a comprehensive joint memorandum on November 11, 2025, which was accompanied by a detailed, evidence-based report based on extensive visitations to 196 government schools across Mokokchung, stated an update received here.

The 27-page Report on School Visitations and Data Collection under Mokokchung District highlighted alarming deficiencies, including a severe shortage of subject teachers in core disciplines, most notably Science, Mathematics and Languages, as well as a deeply skewed distribution of the existing teaching staff. 

The report, a product of ground-level assessments, has painted a grim picture of the academic environment in the district, with thousands of students reportedly suffering from the lack of qualified educators. Despite the documentation and submission nearly eight months ago, the organisations have expressed grave disappointment over the “continued inaction” from the education department.

Ultimatum and demands
In their latest communication, the three bodies have presented a 45-day ultimatum from the date of receipt of the letter. The key demands include: to initiate and complete the rationalisation of teaching staff across all government schools in Mokokchung district; and undertake immediate recruitment and deployment of qualified subject teachers, particularly in core disciplines.

The organisations have made it categorically stated that “quality education is a fundamental right of every student and stressed that the continued delay in addressing these long-standing issues has adversely affected the academic future of thousands of students in the district.”

The letter, signed by Marsanen Imsong, President, Ao Senden, Tianaro Jamir, President, Watsü Mungdang, and Lanulemba Longchar, President, Ao Kaketshir Mungdang cautioned that “Failure to comply within the stipulated timeframe will compel us to initiate appropriate and necessary actions, including public and democratic measures, to safeguard the interests of the students.”

The signatories asserted that “Department of School Education shall bear full responsibility for any consequences arising thereof. This matter demands immediate and decisive intervention. We expect no further delay.”