Correspondent
KOHIMA, NOV 5 (NPN): Advisor for school education Dr. Kekhrielhoulie Yhome has assured immediate stopgap arrangements to address the shortage of teachers at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Sungro in Wokha district. However, he said some demands raised by the school community would require longer-term policy decisions and institutional arrangements.
Addressing a press briefing at the NIPUN Bharat Conference Room here on Thursday, Yhome said the school had around 153 students from Classes IV to XII. He acknowledged that the absence of two subject teachers, particularly in English and Political Science, had affected academic activities.
He said the English teacher was currently on six months’ maternity leave. Around 50% of the Alternative English syllabus had been covered, while about 30% of the main English syllabus remained. Yhome assured that interim arrangements would be made to avoid disruption of classes. The teacher was expected to rejoin next week.
The Political Science teacher had also recently proceeded on maternity leave. Yhome said the district education officer had been informed, but the directorate of school education had not received official intimation. He said this pointed to the need for better communication between school authorities and the directorate.
On other demands raised during the agitation, including additional manpower, Yhome said some requests were beyond the department’s present requirements and capacity. He said the school already had seven multi-tasking staff (MTS) personnel and a carpentry instructor. He questioned the need for additional appointments in these categories.
On the demand for a Lotha language teacher, Yhome said appointing qualified teachers for indigenous languages remained challenging. He said several tribal languages lacked formal academic programmes that could provide recognised qualifications for prospective teachers.
He cited Angami and Sumi as among the few tribal languages with academic programmes extending to higher levels of university education.
He stressed that tribal identity or the ability to speak a mother tongue alone could not qualify someone to teach the language. Proficiency in reading and writing was also essential.
Yhome said the department had surveyed primary teachers to identify those willing to shift to language teaching. Around 427 teachers had expressed interest in converting their existing posts into language teacher positions.
He said the department was also working with tribal literature boards and universities to strengthen indigenous languages and develop formal qualifications. Discussions were underway to explore recognised certification pathways, including postgraduate diploma and certificate programmes.
As an interim arrangement for GHSS Sungro, Yhome said the Hindi teacher posted at the school could be utilised for Lotha language teaching. He said the teacher was proficient in speaking, reading and writing Lotha.
Yhome reiterated the department’s commitment to promoting mother-tongue education. However, he said a proper academic and qualification framework was necessary to ensure that suitably qualified teachers were appointed.