The Teachers Day was celebrated in Saiha or rather say whole of Mizoram on 6th September as 5th was Sunday. We planned for it sometime back starting with a meeting by State Education Minister and then meetings are local level. Here the primary objective of the Teacher Day is obviously felicitation of teachers but also is collection of contributions towards Teachers Welfare Fund but it does not have any activity more than this. In Saiha in order to make it more charming and eventful we planned a painting competition for the students and divided the category in three groups. It was awesome to watch the kids using pencil, wax color, water colors, sketch pens.. The response was better than our expectation. We had it on 3rd. Total 198 students participated who we divided in three groups.
In fact I also fondly remembered my own childhood when I use to try my had with pencil but always have to write the name of object below my painting as it hardly use to resemble my imagination and objects in their true physical forms. My skills were always to fill the blanks with colors as originals were without any outcome....
The paintings were really good although out of three topics viz: My village after 10 years, Mara Culture, Scenic Beauty; most have chosen scenic beauty and almost 80% had resemblance to hills, river, sun and huts on a single canvass.....
Some pics were really good. One portrait particularly of a Mara with a gun in olden times was really impressive. I will upload it once it is collected today.
On 6th I was in Don Bosco School. It was a three and half hour programme which included dances of all major tribes of Mizoram, performances by teachers. It was one of the best functions in the recent times I attended. The kids were doing really superb. This place is having lots of singing and dancing talent but somehow they could not go beyond the state level.
The photos of cultural programmes will be made available soon.
There are few serious matters which concern education in Saiha District and the State which requires a proper deliberation at policy making level:-
- The quality of education is not upto the mark in the district and most of the teachers I saw in Elementary Schools are underqualified. Although through SSA the emphasis is given on training but it does not seem to make any impact.
- The school infrastructure is too bad. Schools look dirty and furnitures are too bad or simply non-existent. SSA is not able to improve the physical infrastructure to required level.
- In remote areas teachers absenteeism is too high.
- In schools too much of children energy is spent on learning languages. Upto Elementary Level a student learns 4 languages:- Mara, Mizo, English, Hindi; which leaves little time for the kids to focus on other equally important subjects which result in poor base formation and hence poor output at senior level.
- People's participation is missing in education sector.
There are lots of issues related to this sector but on this auspicious day I just want that let people should take note of it and bring reforms in Education Sector and make it outcome oriented rather than just a department to provide employment and civil works in the shape of school construction/extension.
8 comments:
Dear Puhpa Kunal, thanks for the update. Can't wait to see the paintings, especially the 'Mara guy with a gun' you've mentioned.
Coming to the school infrastructure and the quality of teachers, it is really worrisome. As you have rightly said, the infrastructure is almost non-existence, it is very true and they are in pathetic condition. If schools in Tipa are bad, one cannot imagine those in the villages. Keeping all these in mind, the school board (Mizoram BSE and Mara BSE) have also abolished Board exams for class IV and Class VII, what will be condition of product of village schools? It is really worrisome! I hope your good office will do recommend something better for improving the education system in the district. I'm sure something better can come up. Thanks for sharing.
Dear Kunalji sir...As you'd already acquainted yourself with the pathetic education symtem prevailing over beloved Maraland...i believed you'll love to contribute atleast something for its corrective measure during your tenure..for the chagrin of politicians i'll tip-off you one measure...that is..appointing Teachers Under SSA Mission saiha district thro' written competition and personal interview under your chairmanship..so that the truly deserving get selected rather politically patronage undeserving... ..this is the most effective measure you could adopt for correcting the rotten symtem at your capacity in this juncture....whether you succumb to migth of politicians will tell who is the true blue blood of an IAS officer at the end of the days.. between..you or Asish kundra (former Saiha DC) who took no nonsenses from politicians..
Mr.Kunalji....As you were already acquainted yourself with the pathetic condition of the prevailing Educational Symtem at Maraland....your mind must have been nagging with the thougth of what corrective measures to be taken at your capacity....let me tell you what you could do at this juncture...Being the Chairman of SSA Mission Saiha District you should not allowed appointment of teachers as the trump card of politicians for garnering votes.....all the appointment of teachers under SSA be made thro' written competition and personal interview under your chairmanship...it's not too late..even a handful of dedicated and efficient teachers can make a difference...hope you will not succumb to the whims of politicians....Ashish Kundra (former saiha DC) knew how to handle politicians ... and took no nonsenses from them....i hope you do the same tackfully without rubbing them too hard....
Dear Reader
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and consideration shown towards education in the district. I feel there is no any short cut solution to the present state of education and it requires a proper thinking at the policy making level and in the general public too. As far as my position is concerned within the given role of Chairman, SSA Mission Saiha; I feel I am not doing any injustice to this responsibility; whatever powers are not given to me, I can not assume them.
I am trying to create a good environment for uplifting the educational standards and initiative from concerned citizens like you is also required.
Thanks once again.
Mr. Kunalji...if i'm not mistaken..about 30-40 teachers had been recruitment Under SSA saiha district after you'd posted as DC saiha....had that recruitment been done thro' proper means as mentioned in my previous comment...Maraland education would have been richer by about 30-40 teachers...it seems your hands are being tied by something.. you seems to be a genuine well wisher for Maraland and a man with your stature is expected to follow the path of righteousness no matter what...anyway i convey my heartiest and best wishes in your endevour to uplift educational standard in Maraland.
Dear Friend
I am following the right path. I said in my previous comment I can not assume the powers which are not conferred on me. We have to follow the guidelines of SSA issued by the Government. This role was not entrusted with DC which has been mentioned in your comment.
I believe in doing my work which are assigned to me but I dont put myself in those things which are not assigned to me.
Thanks for your wishes.
kunalji sir...sorry to know that you were not entrusted with such authority as appointment..then the dim light i saw simmering at the end of dark tunnel has also vanished for maraland education....god bless you and maraland.
Dear Friend
Its not like that.,,
There are no short cuts to big issues and these things take their own time.
Be Positive
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