‘No Yoga teachers being appointed in Nagaland’

November 5, 2023 26 Views No Comment

Kohima, November 5 (MExN): The Advisor of School Education, Dr Kekhrie Yhome, has reportedly clarified that no Yoga teachers are being appointed in the Nagaland Department of School Education (DoSE).

According to the Rising People Party (RPP), the Advisor made this clarification in response to a host of issues raised by the party in a representation submitted to him in Kohima on November 3.

The RPP, in the representation, contended that there is no need for Yoga teachers in schools in Nagaland as Yoga, being a “presence physical and a spiritual exercise,” is against “our ethos and culture.”

The party also reiterated its stance that the post of Principal Director (IAS) should be “done away with” as having too many power centers in a department would erode efficiency and professional dedication.

In the representation, the RPP also called for setting up a Teachers’ Recruitment Board.

The recruitment board should be set up in a manner that prevents department officials from being involved in the recruitment process to avoid conflicts of interest, it noted.

The RPP also flayed the “eager-beaver attitude” of department officials concerning ‘developmental’ activities instead of focusing on students’ welfare, which it referred to as an “unfortunate malaise” and a contributing factor to the poor state of government schools.

The party asserted that past claims of a shortage of funds for the poor performance of schools as “disingenuous and ludicrous,” stressing that the number one problem with the DoSE is poor management.

The RPP further stated that the salaries of teachers, police personnel, and health workers should not be delayed under any circumstances.

It pointed out that this issue is striking when compared to the non-teaching staff and officials who do not face such delays, adding that numerous strikes and protests over the past few years testify to the fact that the State Government prioritises the health of education, the least.

The RPP also contended that the yearly State Budget should incorporate enough funds for the department’s needs.

Out of the overall Rs. 1781 Crore earmarked for all the departments under “Approved Sectoral Outlays for 2023-24,” the DoSE received a meager Rs. 12 Cr, which is only 0.67% of the total outlay, it said.

It also pointed out that the Department of Under Developed Areas (DUDA) allocation is even higher than that of DoSE at Rs 23 Crore.

Such misplaced priorities demonstrate the state government’s lack of concern for quality education in Nagaland, it reiterated.

However, the RPP recognised that the Advisor of School Education is doing commendable work to cleanse the mess in his department and said that it submitted certain points for consideration, which would make the department more efficient and professional.

It also raised the need for the State to have its own education policy, similar to some of the southern states. The RPP also emphasised the importance of supporting the Advisor in his challenging mission to implement structural changes in the department.