Reaffirming on its “zero tolerance” towards proxy teachers and “no work, no pay” policy, the Yimchungrü Akherü Arihako (YAA) has warned the teachers of punitive action if found practicing “proxy” and “truant”.
In a press statement, YAA president, S Yansomong Yimchunger and general secretary, Achung Jangleh, stated that as part of its annual action plan, the team undertook a month-long education tour from April 22 to May 17 and visited all educational institutions under its jurisdiction. Public health facilities and ongoing developmental works were also surveyed during the tour.
YAA claimed that during their visit, it was found out that no official communication/permission order was available by teachers who were undergoing professional course. In this regard, YAA stated that it will “construe those cases as truant” in the event of failure to produce office order.
While acknowledging the genuine teachers who, live and teach in the remotest areas despite difficult conditions, the YAA urged those “not so interested teachers” to resign immediately on moral ground as the future of students cannot be compromised at someone’s “whims and fancies”.
YAA also expressed hope that Biometric attendance in all Government schools will eradicate “proxy” and enhance teachers’ regularity.
The team also found out acute shortages of teachers in almost all the schools.
It claimed that almost all the schools constructed in the late 1960’s and the early part of 1970’s under its jurisdiction were haphazardly functioning in dilapidated and some in precarious condition.
It therefore, asked the government to construct new school building, carry out major repair and renovation works, class room extension, ample playground, separate office and staff room, library, laboratory and separate lavatory for boys and girls.
The team also stated that the School Management Committee (SMC)/Communitisation has been “moribund” with many loopholes, overlapping and curtailment of powers/responsibilities and duties between the department concerned and the community, resulted in poor management of the schools.
In this regard, YAA expressed that the Communitisation should be either lifted in toto and take over by the department or re-structure/re-organize the present form of implementation/enforcement by the SMC.
The student body also found out that community participation was negligible/nil especially in the rural areas and therefore, called for community mobilization at the grass-root level in the form of sensitization/awareness programme.
To address the issue, YAA said it had submitted a representation to DoSE to redress the matter and was hopeful that the department would take in cognizance on the points mentioned and initiate necessary remedial measures.
Further, YAA cautioned that it will not tolerate the practice of individuals holding multiple offices of profits and asked them to voluntarily resign immediately.