Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, NOV 10 (NPN): Principal director of school education Shashank Pratap Singh has assured a temporary arrangement for a PGT Political Science at Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS), Sungro, following concerns over a shortage of teachers at the higher secondary level. He also said the PGT English was scheduled to resume duty on Tuesday.
Referring to the ongoing concerns at GHSS Sungro, Singh maintained that the school had adequate teachers for its elementary and secondary sections. However, he acknowledged a genuine shortage at the higher secondary level after two PGTs proceeded on maternity leave simultaneously.
He said the department had discussed the matter with the school principal and concerned education officials. Singh assured that a temporary arrangement for a PGT Political Science would be made to address the shortage.
Speaking at the Golden Jubilee celebration of Government Middle School (GMS), Midland, Dimapur, Singh also highlighted the financial and structural challenges confronting the School Education department.
He said the department accounted for around 25% of the state government’s total salary and pension budget. He also pointed to the state’s financial constraints following the 16th Finance Commission’s recommendation to discontinue the revenue deficit grant. He said this could affect Nagaland by Rs. 4,000 crore to Rs. 5,000 crore annually.
Against this backdrop, Singh said the government needed to rationalise its workforce and resources. He stressed that the government system should not expand at the expense of private-sector participation and entrepreneurship.
On the fragmented school system, he observed that several villages and wards had multiple government schools operating within short dstances. Separate institutions often catered to primary, middle, high and higher secondary levels. He said this affected student retention and contributed to rising dropout rates.
Singh advocated the creation of composite schools wherever feasible by bringing different levels under one administrative structure. He said this could be done even if physical consolidation was not immediately possible. He added such an arrangement would improve student retention and ensure better utilisation of teachers and other resources.
Addressing concerns over teacher shortages and staffing patterns, Singh clarified that teacher deployment was determined by student enrolment and the number of classes, rather than fixed sanctioned teaching posts in individual schools. He said the department was also rationalising non-teaching staff to ensure equitable distribution.