Morung Express News
Kohima | September 18
43 untrained Primary Teachers and Graduate Teachers have been appointed since March 2018, according to the details furnished by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on September 18 to questions raised by MLA Yitachu during the second session of the 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The issue of quality education was in focus today during the question hour on the first day of the second session of the 13th NLA. 40 primary teachers and 3 graduate teachers were appointed wherein four teachers were on adhoc basis while the rest were appointed under compassionate grounds. 22 among the untrained primary teachers have only cleared their class 12 while there is only one appointee with MA qualification.
The number of primary teachers and graduate teachers under State Creation are 9155 (Primary) and 3361 (Graduate). MLA Yitachu raised questions on the number of vacancies accumulated so far under State Creation against Primary Teachers and Graduate Teachers, and when these vacancies will be filled up. Rio replied that the number of vacancies accumulated so far under State Creation against Primary teachers are 249 while for Graduate teachers, the number of vacancies accumulated are 66.
"No date fixed as yet to fill up the vacancies," stated the Chief Minister adding that the appointment will be conducted through the Department Selection Board as per Rule 6B of the Nagaland School Education Service Rules 2017.
During a brief discussion, MLA Yitachu questioned the failure of the Department of School Education to recruit the vacant 249 posts of Primary teachers and Graduate teachers in schools which falls short of such teachers.
Demanding a direct answer from the Minister in charge on the specific date and time for the recruitment of the 249 vacant posts, MLA Yitachu questioned whether the 249 teachers are earmarked for the shortfall in schools or “is the department contemplating to use the 249 teachers for other purposes?”
"On emergency basis and on compassionate grounds, as replied in the questions, 43 untrained teachers were appointed against retired vacancies since March 2018," replied Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio adding, "these were proposed during October 2017 and accordingly P&AR clearance was accorded."
On the date and time of the recruitment, Rio provided the same answer i.e. "Through Department Selection Board as per Rule 6B of the Nagaland School Education Service Rules 2017."
Stating that "the teachers’ problems are in a mess and we are sorting it out," Rio assured that the government will take up the requirement of the vacant posts as per the rules of the department.
Meanwhile, MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu intervened in the discussion stating, "Now that he (Chief Minister) has appointed MLAs as Advisors, I feel that he should fully empower them and they should be permitted to answer the questions."
Rio however stated that consultation was taken for the Minister in-charge to respond to the questions. "Since they are only to advise the department when necessary as mentioned in their appointment letters, we decided that the Minister in-charge will reply. And after that any honorable member of the House can raise supplementary questions and answers including the Advisors. In future, I encourage the Advisors to participate."
Expressing concern over the poor performance of government schools and government teachers despite better salaries and lesser workload compared to private school teachers, MLA Imkong L Imchen questioned, "What makes government school teachers fail us in this way?"
Considering the issue as a common concern, Imchen stated, "This cannot be the subject of the Minister concerned alone but the whole House should be discussing on what and how we should be doing about the responsibility and performance of government teachers in our State. It deserves the government's attention."
Sharing similar sentiments, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio rued over the poor performance of government schools and assured, "The Treasury Bench also will try our best."
"Teaching profession is honorable and therefore, the outcome should also be honorable. Let us give a joint effort to wipe out proxy teachers, ghost teachers and all kinds of teachers who are not attending," affirmed Rio.
In an unstarred question to the CM, MLA, Y Vikheho Swu, asked about the total number of Mathematics and Science Teachers in Nagaland with their places of posting. The MLA also asked the CM to furnish the list of schools presently functioning without Mathematics & Science Teachers.
The total number of Math and Science Teachers in Nagaland, according to the information provided by the Chief Minister, is 1660. Further, 99 schools in Nagaland are still functioning without Math and Science Teachers as of today.
