Zeliang Students’ Union (ZLSU) has expressed strong opposition to the recent transfer of mathematics and science teachers from government middle schools (GMS) and government high schools (GHS) in Peren district as part of the recent rationalisation process by the department of school education.
In an “open ultimatum” to principal director school education, ZLSU president Kingsalt Hegwang and general secretary Sanlakbo Namdau stated that the “ill-conceived and discriminatory decision” without having proper knowledge about the ground reality would have far-reaching and devastating consequences on the future prospects of the students.
The union stated that government middle schools and government high schools, which have been “wrecked by the recent rationalization”, have the highest enrolment and also the best-performing schools in the district.
It stated that GMSs where teachers were transferred without replacement included GMS Punglwa, with student enrolment-75 (GT science); GHS Mbaulwa, enrolment- 74 (GT science); GMS Nkialwa, enrolment- 60 (both GTs science and mathematics); GMS Mpai, enrolment- 125 (GT science) and GHSS Tening, enrolment-36 (GT Science).
ZLSU, therefore, served an ultimatum on the department to withdraw the transfer order; retain/replace teachers in the mentioned school and review of the rationalization process. It also appealed to department to reconsider the decision and explore alternative solutions that prioritised the students’ academic success and well-being.
Failure to comply with its demands within 15 days, the union threatened to close all educational offices including DEO and SDEOs in Peren district until demands were fully met.