By Imna Longchar
Dimapur( Nagaland), June 2 : Advisor, School Education, Nagaland, K. Tokugha Sukhalu, IAS (Rtd) on Wednesday has thanked the all the frontline workers for their tireless work and dedication towards collective safety of the people during this pandemic.
Extending his “sincerest sympathies” to those who have lost their friends and family members, Tokugha expressed hope that those who have tested positive or are tending to covid19 positive persons would be granted strength and courage from the Almighty to push through.
“I thank the many groups and individuals who have come together to assist the Government in the effort towards containing the pandemic, the outpouring of generosity has truly affirmed my faith in our sense of community,” he said.
On education system, he said that these two years had been especially disruptive to routine and conventional methods of learning where it had to shift online and to a new teaching methods with no preparation and little infrastructure because as the existing systems were oriented toward “in-person”classroom teaching.
Realizing that many are still struggling with the conversion and that it has been an unequal one in terms of network connectivity and access to the new tools of education, Togukha said that the Government and department are committed in ensuring that the education systems are as equitable or more than before the start of the pandemic for which he expressed his gratitude to the IT & C Department for its efforts in augmenting data connectivity and access in the state.
He also encouraged the teachers and students who are facing the brunt of this change not to be disheartened by maintaining “these are extraordinary times and we are in the midst of a global pandemic that has shaken our systems and society itself to the core; we must choose to rise to this challenge.”
Given the circumstances of this unexpected transition, the advisor commended the teachers, students and their parents for adapting as well as they have, however, there is much more that can be done.
He disclosed that the department has prepared lessons for all students but are aware not all have access to smart phones or computers, for which directions have hence been given to teachers to stay in station to download these lessons and distribute to the students to ensure that none are left out.
He added that provisions have been made to enable the teachers and schools to provide these to the students, all teachers should stay in station and do your best to ensure that our students’ education is not compromised.
“If you are facing difficulty in accessing the lessons or in disseminating it to your students please inform the Department so your issues can be addressed without delay. I appreciate those who are in station and doing their duty diligently, he further added.
He also urged the students to understand that the department is doing its best in the current conditions to ensure that their education could continue with a degree of normalcy and uniformity and added that the months or years of self application in their education may perhaps equip them with tools that would help them in their future.
“Education should enable you to live a better life or to better the lives of the people around you and for the generations to come. Education is not the end in itself; it is the means to an end.
For parents, much of the responsibility of ensuring your child or wards’ education in this pandemic lay on your shoulders, a fact of which l’m certain you are more than aware. I would urge you to continue to put in the extra effort till such time that we are able to resume classroom lessons again. We must all continue to work together to contain the long term effect of the pandemic on our education systems,” the advisor further added.
He later thanked everyone who is doing their part whether it is doing their duty or staying at home and obeying the Government guidelines and further went on to add that many are inconvenienced both directly and indirectly from the lockdown however, one must remember that the lockdown is being enforced for our collective safety.
