NAHARLAGUN, Mar 9: The state Assembly today adopted a private member resolution on equitable distribution of teachers throughout the state moved by Kanubari MLA Gabriel Denwang Wangsu in modified form.
While moving the resolution, Wangsu strongly stressed on the urgent need for rationalization of transfer and posting of teachers to improve the education status in the state.
Giving a detailed account of the problem being faced by various schools suffering due to lack
of teachers, the MLA pressed upon the government to take effective steps for equitable distribution of teachers throughout the state. Saying that every parent do aspire to give the best of food and education to the child, he added that the schools run by government are the best and ultimate hope for educating their children which becomes disappointing when there is no teacher.
Highlighting on the status of those schools which remained either closed most of the academic year or practically no teaching takes place just because of shortage of teacher, the MLA impressed upon the government to take a concrete policy on rationalized posting of teachers.
He informed that around 900 schools, mostly upper primary and primary schools are being run by single teacher, adding that certain districts like Longding, Anjaw, Tirap, Changlang, Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Upper Siang etc have abnormally acute shortage of teachers.
He said that in most of the districts, teachers are concentrated in schools in and around the district headquarters only, while the state capital recorded to be having the highest concentration of teachers.
Unless we secure the future of our children, it would be a sheer futile exercise to talk of all other issues, he added.
Informing that many districts do not have qualified and eligible candidates when teachers interview are conducted and candidates from other districts are posted in these deprived districts who are not willing to serve in districts like Anjaw, Dibang Valley, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Upper Siang, Tirap, Changlang and Longding etc being remote, disturbed and without accommodation facilities, the MLA said that after getting posted in these districts, the teachers manage their transfer and go back to their home districts taking political support from their respective MLAs in one or two years, much before completion of probationary period. In some cases two teachers of same subject teach different subjects only to get retained at their place of choice posting, besides retirement, death, resignation etc are other factors and such vacancies are yet to be filled up in time. He said that while many Middle schools have been upgraded to Secondary school and many Secondary schools have been upgraded as Higher
Secondary school but for the last many years, no post of Senior Teachers or VP/HM or Principal had been created against these upgraded schools resulting in acute shortage of senior teachers for Science, Maths and Language in the entire state.
Stating that there is need of about 2119 teachers, including more than 400 PGTs, for these upgraded schools, he informed that no post has been created against the upgraded schools for the last 7-8 years, adding that the proposal to create 1500 posts has not been cleared on the ground that the posting of existing teachers should be rationalized first by the department. Putting forth his views, Wangsu called for urgent need for rationalization of the posting of teachers by transferring them from schools located in state capital and district HQ to schools located in remote areas and sought strong political will and support from all members as constant political interference, transfer posting of teachers has been very difficult leading to concentration of teachers in district HQ and shortage of teachers in the remote schools.
Responding to the resolution, Education Minister Honchun Ngandam expressed his concern on
disproportionate posting of teachers resulting in acute shortage of teachers in various schools of the state, informed that government has decided for rationalization of posting of teachers during vacation period to avoid affecting studies in mid academic session as per the standing guidelines of transfer & posting. Informing that the department is mooting for streamlining the functioning of the department, the minister said that many measures are being taken to ensure quality education in the state like training for teachers, streamlining of teacher-student ratio, incentives for teachers posted at remote
areas, besides check on political interference and sought cooperation from the members in changing the mindset of the teachers through orientation meetings and conferences to deal with the problem.
Members including PD Sona, Wangki Lowang, Japu Deru, Jomde Kena, Olom Panyang, Tamar Murtem, Kento Rina, Laisam Simai, Phosum Khimhun, Wanglam Sawin, Thangwang Wangham, Mama Natung, Wanglin Lowangdong,
Paknga Bage, Kaling Moyong, Pani Taram, Lombo Tayeng and Mutchu Mithi while supporting the resolution spoke on the problem and put forth their suggestions for equitable distribution of teachers.
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Kameng Professional and Technical University Bill stalled
NAHARLAGUN: Earlier, the house also discussed on the Kameng Professional and Technical University Bill moved by Education Minister on first day of the session. The bill provides for establishment of the Kameng
Professional and Technical University at Tippi, Bhalukpong in West Kameng district covering the western part of the state of Arunachal Pradesh.
Participated by members Japu Deru, Wanglin Lowangdong, Pani Taram, Home Minister Kumar Waii, Kento Rina, former CM Nabam Tuki, Tapang Taloh, Tage Taki, Takam Pario, Laisam Simai, Kaling Moyong and Nikh Kamin, the bill could not be passed as all the speakers while appreciating the setting up of the University for promotion of higher education in the state, expressed apprehension on the vast subjects offered and questioned over the credential of the private organization sponsoring the university, besides putting up various other factors.
Later, Chief Minister Pema Khandu while considering the suggestions of the members, asked upon the Education Minister to place the bill in amended form for discussion and passing on March 14 next.
Research dept initiates Linguistic survey of Arunachal Pradesh
NAHARLAGUN: Earlier, Art & Culture Minister Dr. Mohesh Chai informed the house that the department of Research has initiated Linguistic survey of Arunachal Pradesh and so far 42 languages have been documented covering most of the major and minor tribes of the state.
Responding to a query by Kanubari MLA Gabriel D Wangsu on protection of tribal dialects, the
minister told the house that besides linguistic survey, measures for documentation of culture and tradition of various tribes of the state are being taken up shortly. He also endorsed the suggestion
put forth by Wangsu to introduce local dialects as third language in schools of concerned area.