EDUCATION IN NAGALAND

At the outset I would like to caution my readers that I am not going to highlight the positive aspects of ‘Education in Nagaland’ in this article. I prefer to focus on the negative side because I consider this an opportunity for introspection that may help to bring changes in the minds of at least few people. As it is not possible to analyze all the aspects of a complex issue in an article like this, I would restrict my views to few important problems encountered by the student community.

I had my education from the primary level to the post graduate level in Govt. / Govt. Aided average schools and colleges situated at the southern villages of Tamilnadu. When I compare the facilities I had in my schools and colleges before 30 years with those available to today’s students studying in Nagaland, I would say that majority of the students of Nagaland are underprivileged.

Nagaland is one of the neglected North Eastern states of India that has got many disadvantages / restrictions imposed by nature itself. To add salt to the wound, the conflicts of armed struggle deprive the children of Nagaland from the congenital environment necessary for the fullest development of their potentials. In spite of all the disadvantages, the children of Nagaland adapt well to the ground reality and their talents and skills are not inferior to that of anybody else in our country.

The psycho fear of majority of students for the subject mathematics is well known to us. People generally may shift the blame on the students. But, the root cause of this problem lies with the schools. One could joyfully learn mathematics if they understand the basic concepts well. Unfortunately, most of the schools do not have qualified mathematics teachers and many schools even encage teachers from arts stream to teach mathematics. Thus children do not get proper foundation in mathematics and face lot of difficulties in understanding subjects like Physics, Chemistry etc at the higher secondary level.

Shortage of trained qualified teachers in subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics at the higher secondary level is a major cause of concern for many students of Nagaland. Getting a full time regular teacher in the above mentioned subjects now become a tough task and many schools are at the mercy of ‘Guest Teachers’. We can easily understand what quality education would be imparted by a teacher when he teaches in 2 -3 schools. In my opinion, the school managements should be blamed for this crisis. Most of the teachers from private schools are underpaid and with lot of opportunities available in other parts of the country, talented teachers do not prefer to serve in Nagaland. If the schools pay reasonable salary and offer facilities such as quarters, EPF, gratuity etc, I am sure that schools in Nagaland would definitely get qualified regular teachers.              

Another disturbing factor of today’s education system is the prevailing of corrupt practices among many teachers. Teachers are the lowest paid professionals in our society and many of the underpaid teachers involve in unethical practices. In the materialistic society teachers alone cannot be blamed for the menace because they too have families to look after. Generally, the managements turn a blind eye to the wrong doings of the teachers in this regard and make the innocent children as victims of corrupt practices at the young age.

How many students have the confidence of securing good marks without taking private tuitions from their own school teachers? Of course everyone from a class may not have the same ability and few slow learners of the overcrowded classes may need special attention. Such children may take private tuitions from teachers of their choice. But unfortunately, the concept of private tuitions has also been changed radically. Teaching in today’s tuition classes are in no way different from the regular class room teaching. Here also the 30- 40 students are accommodated in a class and the students rarely get individual attention. The only difference is that the teachers will solve the home works they give in schools and the students will get a preferential treatment at the school.      

      

The problems faced by the students of Govt. schools are off another type. Lack of proper infrastructure facilities is a major constraint for the students of Govt. schools throughout the state. Most of the Govt. school teachers are well qualified but less motivated. They also need to overcome the characteristic lazy syndrome of Govt. servants. Dearth of quality in Primary education, transfer of teachers at the middle of the academic year and the practice of engaging Proxy teachers are some more shortcomings of the Govt. sector.

          

We could definitely overcome the above described shortcomings by undertaking few corrective measures. First of all, the society should become aware of their rights. Secondly, teachers should realize that they are entrusted with the noble task of moulding the future of children and they should be the role model to their students. Above all the school managements should realize that they play a vital role in shaping the future of our country and the slaves working in their schools would never become role models to our children.

Teacher Jailed For Punishing Student

“Teacher sentenced to one month imprisonment for punishing school girl for hair style” was the flash news in many TV channels on 17^th July 2012 in Tamilnadu. I was so curious to know about the details of the case as a concerned teacher and a parent because the incident is an indicator of the change in attitude of the society that every teacher and parent must realize. Let me narrate the incident in brief.

Suja ( name changed ), a fifth standard student, daughter of a laborer  was studying in a private  school in Coimabatore , Tamilnadu. In the year 2008, one day she had turned up at the school without double plaits which was against the hair dress code of the school.

The Physical Education Teacher of the school scolded the girl and made her stand outside the class. Not satisfied with the punishment given, she took the girl to her room, caned and reportedly cut her plait much to the embarrassment of the child. Based on the complaint from the mother, the Police arrested the teacher and registered a case against her. The Magistrate who heard the case found the teacher guilty and awarded one month imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs 1000.

The questions that come to my mind are :- Generally parents first approach the Principal / Headmaster in matters related to their children and resort to further course of actions only at a later stage. In this case, why did the mother straightaway went to police and didn’t complaint to the School Authorities? Did the girl’s mother over react? Why was the teacher too harsh on the girl? Was the Courts verdict too harsh towards the teacher? Whatever may be the case; Teachers and School Authorities as well as Parents must realize the changes taking place in the society and should try to avoid the occurrence of such ugly incidents.

Teachers are entrusted with the difficult task of not only teaching the students but also protecting them from the evil factors of the almost corrupt society. A humane approach to problems / mistakes would bring better solutions. Equal treatment regardless of what the socio-economic back ground is very important. The parents of the child in the case given are laborers and their nature of work might have not permitted them to ensure that their child strictly adheres to the dress code of the school. Whether the teacher acted on her own will or obeyed the instructions of her superiors, punishing a child cruelly for the inability/negligence of parents cannot be justified in a civilized society. It is a sad truth that the affectionate relationship that existed between teachers and students is slowly disappearing from the materialistic society.         

Nagas and Religious Tolerance

Today the term religion has to be used so cautiously because many people spread hatred in the name of religion, forgetting that the basic essence of every religion is love. I am not an authority on religious matters and I do not wish to preach about religion here, but simply sharing some of my experiences on religious tolerance with you.

When I decided to come to Nagaland, one of my well wishers told “You are going to a 100 % Christian state and you must always carry a Cross with you or else you would not be able to stay there. Nagas are dangerous people and do not take unnecessary risks”. His advice really made me frightened but I decided to proceed without the Cross. Before narrating my religious experiences in Nagalnad, I would like to share my views on religion with you.

I am a Hindu by birth and my religious views since childhood is very simple “All religions lead to the same destination”. In my native village in Tamilnadu, most of my neighbours are Christians and I used to visit Church with my friends without any reservation.  During Christmas times the Pastor and few other members of the Church would visit my house and pray for us. My family has been accepting the goodwill as a privilege and never felt it as an intrusion in our religious freedom. Till today, religion has never stood as an obstacle in my personal and professional life.

I have also come across few people who feel that God has entrusted them with the task of Conversion by inducement. My performance in the B.Sc. degree examination was not very good and I had a tough time in getting admission to M.Sc. course. One gentleman of the above mentioned category approached me with the offer of a seat in a college in return for my taking Baptism in church. He was also kind to explain the shortcomings of my religion. I just smiled and told him, “My mother may not be beautiful in your eyes but she is my mother. How could I relinquish her because you feel that your mother is more beautiful than my mother?”

I have completed more than 20 years of life in Nagaland and interacted with people from different walks of life. Sometimes people use to ask me “Are you a Christian?” when I say “No, I am a Hindu”, the religious issue comes to an end then and there. I have worked in close association with many officers who are more religious and committed Christians. But they never tried to impose their religious views on me.

I really wonder what made people from other parts of the country to come to the conclusion that Nagas have the least religious tolerance. With my own experience I would honestly say that people of different religious faith enjoy more freedom in Nagaland compared to many other parts of our country. Most of the mainland Indians still have misconceptions about people of North East and it is unfortunate that the good qualities of Naga People are not highlighted well enough in the national media.    

A Loving Husband

In today’s materialistic world, life turns to be a forced venture for many married people after the initial excitements of physical pleasures gets over and love remain as a forgotten entity. But there are few couples whose union gradually leads to the union of souls and true love blooms between them forever. Recently I came across a couple who belongs to the latter category.

The gentleman is a retired government officer in his 70s and his wife in her late 60s. The old lady has been suffering from Alzheimer's disease for the last 10 years and he became her lone caregiver at an age when he himself needs to be cared by others. You may be aware of the consequences of the deadly disease which is not so common in our country.

         

People with Alzheimer's disease have memory problems and difficulties with thinking and reasoning and eventually they will not be able to care for themselves. They also may experience personality and behaviour changes. For example, they may become agitated, irritable, or very passive. Some people with Alzheimer's may wander away from home and become lost. Others may not be able to tell the difference between day and night—they may wake up, get dressed, and start to leave the house in the middle of the night thinking that the day has just started.

Due to complex changes occurring in the brain, people with Alzheimer's may see or hear things that have no basis in reality. They also may have losses that affect vision, smell, taste and other feelings. The disease gets worse as it develops and at the critical stage they become increasingly unable to take care of themselves and their life goes back to the stage of infancy with a matured body. 

These disabilities are very difficult, not only for the person with Alzheimer's, but for the family, and those taking care of them. Caring for a person with Alzheimer's at home is a challenging task. It is often overwhelming, tiring, and frustrating.  The caregivers would be subjected to undefined mental agonies while witnessing the gradual deterioration of the person they love.

One can imagine how a man of 70 years old would feel when he becomes the lone caregiver of his beloved wife suffering from Alzheimer's. But the gentleman whose only comfort is the love and support of one of his daughters never shows a bit of grudge in his face and takes care of his ailing wife with true love, devotion and patience.

 
In a time, when couples getting separated after years of relationship or even just after a year of married life become a casual affair, the inspiring life of the old gentleman urges us to introspect how seriously we love our spouses.

Ambitions: Parents Vs Children

Every year with the declaration of HSSLC and HSLC examination results, most parents spend sleepless nights worrying about choosing the right course or the most suitable schools for their children. With the ever growing competition and availability of limited seats in the most sought schools, admitting children in the course and school of their choice has become a tough job for majority of the parents. In this connection, I wish to share an incident from my life which may be of help to few of the readers.   

One day one of my colleagues asked my 11 year old son what his aim in life is. He just stared back at her without answering. So she asked again, “What do you want to become in life?”  He answered politely, “I have not yet decided.”  She smiled and advised him that he should decide it. When we came out he told me, “Daddy sometimes I think that I want to become a teacher like you. When I see an aeroplane, I feel that I should become an aeronautical engineer. When I study about the Universe, I feel that I should become a space scientist. So how can I decide about my career now?”

I told him, “You need not take any such decision right now. Enjoy your school life and study well. But whatever you study, understand the concepts well and never go for memorising without understanding. By the time you reach class 9/10, you will identify your field of interest and basing on that you can start preparing for realising your ambition.”

By the time a child completes his/her high school, they would have identified their field of interest and that should be a major factor in deciding their course of study. But unfortunately, the interest and likes of children are rarely taken in to consideration in selecting their field of study. Many children are thus forced to run blind folded in the race of life without realising the purpose of running.

Most of us have developed a misconception that medical and engineering are the only fields of study that would ensure a bright future for our children. There is no denial that these professions are the first choice for many talented people. But we must not forget that every field of study offers good scope for those who excel in whatever they study.

 

It is true that parents have the responsibility of helping children in shaping their future but at the same time, it is not wise to impose our unattained ambitions on them against their wishes. They are going to live their own life, so they must decide about it. We should only guide them to explore the various options available to them.

My Lost War Against Corruption

The initial years of service may be the days of fun for some people and of struggle for few others, but certainly un- forgetful to most. My days as a teacher in a private school in Nagaland were entirely different. Those were the days of turmoil.

After completing my post graduation in 1990, I got appointed as an Asst. Teacher in a reputed private school. Even though I was underpaid, I was happy with my work because of the abundant love I got from the children. I always believe that it was that love which brought me to my present position in life.

As a teacher, I had many shortcomings in the beginning. I had not completed B.Ed. degree at the time of joining service and had the usual drawbacks of sudden transition from student life to teacher life. I had occasional misunderstandings with few students and in fact, it was my ignorance about the problems of adolescence that created the problems and not the students. But, I really wonder how the young children showered me with so much love in spite of my shortcomings.

On the other hand, my relation with a section of the teaching staff was always strained. I had witnessed for the first time in my life how teachers involve in dirty tricks for earning money. It would practically be impossible for a student to secure average / good marks if he/she is not taking private tuition from the concerned subject teacher. Some teachers even used to humiliate students who were taking tuitions from other teachers till they surrender at their feet. I was really shocked and shattered because I had never experienced such things in my student life.

It is true that a teacher even with a small family could never survive with the paltry salary paid by the school. But I was unable to accept the means deployed by the teachers. Out of my love for the students and honesty, I had raised the issue with the highest authority of the management several times but the result was that I was branded as nuisance. Fortunately, I got a better job in 1994 and left the school before creating any trouble for my own life.

Time and experience changed me in to a man of silent observer of corruption and my highest pride till today is that I have never employed those dirty tricks with my students. Some of my former students of 1990s are now Industrialists and many are working as executives in different walks of life. I still enjoy the true love and respect of few of them without any guilt in my mind. I lost my war against corruption but the true love and respect of my students-past and present-is worth more than a thousand victories.              

A Murder and few Questions

“Class 9 student stabbed woman teacher inside the class room to death”. I was unable to react to the shocking news as the incident took place in a country where teachers were regarded next to God. I know analyzing the issues behind this incident is not an easy job as it is a multi dimensional problem. I am only sharing my views on the issue as a Teacher and a Parent and I hope my friends and readers would help to explore more by their critical comments.

The general outlook of the society has become so materialistic and humanity is slowly disappearing from the society. Our children are surrounded by an almost corrupt society and their position is in between heaven and hell. In theory we are teaching about good morals but what they experience in the real world is just opposite. They are over exposed to media which is full of violence. Most of the cinemas glorify violent heroes and the tender minds of children accept these screen heroes as their role model.

Every parent wants their children to become doctors, engineers etc and most of the Schools care only for the Academic side of the child. The concept of all round development of a child is neglected and molding of character is forgotten by both the Parents and the Schools.  Students are given pressure in many ways with the one dimensional task of securing better marks in the examinations. In order to maintain the reputation of Schools, the managements pressurize the teachers and the teachers in turn put pressure on the students.   Even though a teacher knows what he is doing is against the principles of education, he has no liberty to express his opinions to the concerned authorities.

It is true that a section of the teachers involve in unethical practices. But majority of the teachers are the victims of the greed of managements. Teachers are the least paid professionals in the private sector and no one is indispensable in private schools. In a country where the quality of education is determined by the pass percentage, most of the school managements treat the underpaid teachers like slaves and absolutely there is no job security. So the poor teachers simply obey their greedy masters. But sadly the anger of the innocent children is mostly directed towards the helpless teachers.

Many questions remain unanswered in the present murder case. The student might have not shown his arrogance all of a sudden. Was his character observed by teachers in earlier occasions? If yes, why corrective measures were not taken by the school authority? We may ask many questions. But what answer do we have to the young children of the deceased teacher?