Turning rationalisation process into a mockery: AKM
The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) has expressed deep concern over the recent notification issued by the Directorate of School Education regarding transfer and posting of teachers across Nagaland.
While acknowledging the need for rationalisation in the education sector, AKM vice-president Onenpong and education secretary Lanulemba Longchar, accused the directorate of turning the rationalisation process into a mockery, lacking the seriousness and commitment it deserved.
AKM affirmed would not stand by as a silent spectator while injustices and discriminatory treatment were meted out to schools in rural areas. It further pointed out that the manner in which it had been executed raises serious questions about the preparedness and fairness of the process.
They said the recent rationalisation process appeared to have been carried out without a well-structured plan, resulting in confusion and disruptions in schools, particularly in rural areas where teachers were already scarce.
Further, as the teacher-student ratio in rural areas could not be measured in the same manner as urban schools, and a single teacher managing multiple classes simultaneously was impractical and detrimental to the quality of education, they stressed that rationalisation should take this reality into account, rather than blindly applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
The duo also strongly advocated conducting the rationalisation process fairly and without political influence. They said decisions regarding teacher placements should be based on academic needs rather than external pressures.
They mentioned that teachers unwilling to serve in rural schools should be given prior warnings. But, if they continue to refuse, they suggested that voluntary retirement should be enforced to ensure that only committed educators remain in the system.
Insisting that rationalisation should begin with urban schools, they insisted that such schools in urban areas with excess teachers should be prioritised in the rationalisation process before affecting rural institutions already facing a shortage.
Noting that every child deserved the right to quality education regardless of their location, they said they were determined to ensure that this right reached every corner, leaving no child behind.
KSU says rationalisation exercise ‘unjust’
KSU: Kandi Students’ Union (KSU) expressed dismay over the recent rationalisation of teachers. KSU said that though it supported the efforts, the Tseminyu district’s rationalisation exercise was “imbalance and unjust.” KSU said some schools in the district remained untouched, but others, despite similar teacher student’s ratio, have been adversely affected by the exercise.
Pointing out that there are seven areas/ranges in the district, KSU said teachers from two areas/range were drawn out and redeployed to certain areas only. In this regard, KSU questioned the department as to why schools in other ranges/area with similar teacher-student ratios remained “absolutely unaffected” while Kandi area and Phenshunyu area appeared to have been specifically targeted.
It said that entire district rationalization was made up with maximum teachers drawn from those two areas. KSU also questioned as to why GMS Kandinu Upper (Amalgamated) did not get any primary teacher/graduate teachers to replace six GTs who were transferred.
It said that GMS Tesophenyu Upper (amalgamated) and GMS Logwesunyu (downgraded) received replacements for all the teachers who were transferred out, despite having similar teacher-student ratios. Therefore, KSU urged the department to immediately intervene and redeploy the teachers at GMS Kandinu Upper at the earliest.