Yanpvuo Kikon
We have created our own monster in order to satisfy our vote banks with the vicious cycle of corrupted electoral politics in Nagaland. The education department at present is in such a big mess that only a radical systematic reform with strong political will can rescue our future generation from a disaster.
Education is the single most powerful tool which can either make or break the future of our very existence and continuity, as Nagas. More than 12,000 staff employed in this mega Government industry funded by public money has defeated its own purpose. If I am not mistaken, more than Rs.200 Crore is already in deficit leading to endless woes and sufferings of unpaid teachers, uneducated students, frustrated parents and a society leading towards a path of self-destruction. In short, The Existing System has failed. Is there any political leader, bold and strong enough to be remembered in history for rescuing the future of our society?
HOW DO WE RESCUE OURSELVES FROM A DISASTROUS FUTURE? Problems may look complicated but solutions are simple if we analyse logically and practically. The stark difference between Private & Government schools is where our simple solution lies.
GOVERNMENT TAKE CARE OF GOVERNANCE and focus on EFFECTIVE REGULATION, and stop trying to manage disastrous businesses! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!
Education is neither a joke nor a playground and a money minting, vote bank pleasing toy for politicians. Government should stop the mismanagement of one of the most hallowed institution - Education which either builds or destroys a society. If necessary, hire the world's best consultants specialized in diversification and privatisation of failed public sectors such as our education system.
~ Nagaland churches can also play a role to save this mess. In addition to competing in building the most glamorous churches, we can also compete in producing the brightest souls! Akali Achumi Tikhir mentioned in The Naga Blog, “How wonderful it would be, if the churches run good Mission Schools in remote areas of our land, instead of having/sponsoring Mission schools in West Bengal, Arunachal, Sikkim, Tripura, Assam etc Because I was once a Missionary Teacher and I feel that these people also need us, but our Naga people need us more than anything at this juncture. We are turning a blind eye to our own people but focusing more on others. If we want to reach out to others, we must first reach out to our people especially in Education sector. Wish and pray that Churches will look into this Matter.”
A wise man recently shared with me the idea of how churches can start by adopting one Government school each, not just to ensure quality education but also save souls and at the same time generate revenue to sustain the school - pay salaries, maintain infrastructure etc If religious bodies of other religions can adopt schools, why not us? The best de-provincialised schools in rural areas are run by Catholic institutions, it is time for our Baptist and other denominations to replicate this model by even taking consultancy assistance form Catholic school to establish their educational models.
~ It is also now time for our missionaries in foreign countries to come back home and immediately start this process of working with your respective churches to adopt one Government school each. Nagaland is in need of your services today more than ever. Our society is rapidly degrading especially in the rural areas. Let us first set our kitchen in order then plan of venturing out. A massive state-wide re-evangelisation program is needed specifically reaching out to nurture our young ones from these schools. This is the most important ‘Mission Work’ which our generation requires today! Please treat this with ‘Urgency’ and consider it a ‘Meaningful Calling!’
~ According to Article 45 of the constitution of India, there should be free and compulsory education for all children between the age of 6-14 years. The simple way to achieve the Right to Education is by subsidizing the admission & fees for this age group by augmenting the existing Student Registration system within NBSE which has now been made online! So now with the advent of DBT (Direct Beneficiary Transfer) the subsidy for admission and fees of these students, the Govt simply need to transfer the amount to the respective schools based on the number of students registered in each class upto the age of 14!
~We can look at de-provincialisation of non-performing schools now starting from pilot phase of a first batch of Government schools wherein management is transferred to churches and allowing existing private schools with good record to allow in the auction or bidding process. Government only act as the regulator of quality education, subsidizer of poor students and board to provide syllabus of the highest standards. Government should never get into the regressive practices of trying to regulate price of products and services but only engage in effective and efficient taxation to improve Government revenue. Government is not the one to decide the price of Vivo mobile phone or the price of Momo chow in a restaurant or price of services offered by a printing press or an education institute as well but only act as the regulator and subsidizer to aid those who are economically and socially lesser privileged. In simple economics, the value of products and services are determined/influenced by the customer and not the Government. The role of a Government is simply to regulate quality and generate revenue for public spending & developmental purposes through taxes.
Solutions are simple and readily available! ‘The Political Will’ is now required to start the process of privatization, school adoption, absorption of our surplus unpaid teachers into these de-provincialised institutions which will not only guarantee their salaries but also ensure quality education and attendance of these teachers, quality education to the students, reduce Government deficit and instead improve Government revenue which will help rescue our generation to become a knowledge based society leading towards sustainable progress and equitable wealth creation.
(The writer is a Senior Government Advisory Consultant with global consultancy firm Ernst & Young and is also the founder of The Naga Blog)
