Adviser Department of School Education (DoSE), K.T. Sukhalu expressed serious concern at the problem of proxy teachers plaguing Nagaland, and called upon all particularly village councils (VCs) to help check the menace.
Speaking as chief guest at the inaugural programme of the newly-constructed building of Singrijan Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), here Monday, Sukhalu warned that the practice of proxy teachers will rob schools from producing role models.
In view of such a situation, he asked village councils to also share some responsibility with the government to eradicate the practice.
The adviser DoSE enlightened on the NDPP slogan “Change Is Coming” which meant change in personal attitudes and change in society, and not just in governance.
He maintained that to be part of a developing State and a modern century demanded that people change their mindset and attitudes.
Sukhalu urged upon the people not to just depend on the government, but to unite “our collective efforts” to bring change to the society. He also lauded former education minister Tokheho for initiatives taken for developing the school at Singrijan.
Asking teachers to be responsible, the chief guest said students too needed to know their duties and responsibilities. He reminded students “There is the time of your life. You may have many dreams. Be sincere in your studies and ensure that you learn to take one step at a time and you will achieve your dreams.”
Sukhalu thanked chief minister Neiphiu Rio for entrusting him with a major responsibility of looking after the department and expressed the hope that he would be able to contribute meaningfully to development of education to the best of his best ability.
In a short speech, Dimapur district education officer (DEO) R Amongla Jamir welcomed the adviser to the School Education department. She informed that there were 291 government schools in Dimapur district, of which seven were higher secondary schools, 22 were high schools and the rest were primary schools.
The DEO admitted that though many schools had been seeking to upgrade, not all such requests could be fulfilled due to fund constraints. She stated that Singrijan GHSS should consider itself privileged that it had been upgraded and to make best use of available facilities.
Speaking on the occasion, Singrijan gaon burah (GB) Tezu Pradhan thanked former education minister Tokheho for upgrading the school from a high school to higher secondary school and also expressed confidence on the present leadership of Sukhalu.
A brief report of the school was delivered by Singrijan GHSS headmistress Deborah Yepthomi which highlighted, among other things, shortage of teachers and lack of infrastructure.
While the inauguration plaque was unveiled by Sukhalu, the GB cut the ribbon to inaugurate the new school building. The dedicatory prayer was pronounced by Nepali Baptist Church pastor Lila Khatri and a special song was presented by Class 10 students.
The programme was chaired by Singrijan GHSS principal P Aienla Longkumer and school teacher Benedict Kindo read from the Bible and also leading the invocation prayer.