Mokokchung, October 6 (MExN): The Watsu Mungdang – apex Ao women organization – has expressed the need of a B Ed degree course at Mokokchung to the Government of Nagaland.
In a letter addressed to the Director, Higher Education, Nagaland, the Watsu Mungdang president, Dr Imlirenla Walling and general secretary, Moala Imsong highlighted some of the underlying facts and figures with regard to Mokokchung district:
The Watsu Mungdang pointed out that Mokokchung district, as on 2010, has 243 government schools with 2629 teachers (1929 primary and middle school teachers and an approximate 700 High School and Higher Secondary School teachers). Besides there are sixty eight private schools; however the number of private teachers is not available.
“Of these 2629 teachers, only about half are trained under the DIET, and less than a quarter with B Ed degrees,” the Watsu Mungdang stated.
The letters pointed out that “for that the graduate teachers, the only Government, B Ed Institution, Nagaland College of Teachers Education (NCTE), Kohima, has an intake of only about 100 learners. Besides, this there is only IGNOU Kohima and two others at Dimapur”.
In this regard, the Watsu Mungdang stated that due to constraints of location, seats and consequently financial limitation, the existing and aspiring teachers of Mokokchung and nearby districts are deprived of the opportunity to equip themselves for teaching, which will result in poor quality of education and ultimately poor quality of youth for Naga society.
“As B Ed course is a specialized one, private players do not have the will to invest in this area due to low viability. Hence it becomes imperative for the Government to step in,” the letter maintained.
In this connection, the Watsu Mungdang asserted that if the said institution could be opened at Mokokchung by the Government, it would be a great relief for those who wish to pursue the course, only for those residing at Mokokchung but also for those in districts such as Tuensang, Zunheboto and Longleng.
“It is our humble appeal, therefore, that the Government of Nagaland kindly take up necessary action at the earliest to open the said Institution at Mokokchung for which we will be forever obliged,” the Watsu Mungdang stated.
