The first All Nagaland Teacher Educators’ Conference was held under the theme “Changing Perspectives and Approaches in Teacher Education” in Kohima on Thursday.
Adviser for IPR, SCERT and Village Guards Toshi Wungtong was the guest speaker of the inaugural programme.
Addressing the teacher educators, Wungtong said, “You are the most important persons in the world, you are the numero uno – the most respected persons all over the world. Knowledge and discipline come from people like you.”
Describing the teacher educators as ‘scientists’, he said, “If you are looking for truth and facts then you are also a scientist. Society needs the truth and it belongs to all of us. The true meaning of education is the truthful science. Society looks forward to you in your behaviour, as individual, in your family and in society.”
The adviser opined that educators need to be revolutionary, universal and professional.
“Credibility has to come from you. You must be credible producers. When you build a house you choose the best bricks. Society would like to see you produce the best bricks by you,” Wungtong told the teacher educators.
The adviser further said a secure, strong and quality society must come from teacher educators. It is not only about being the best teacher from a scientific point of view but also about moral science, he added.
Former chairperson of Nagaland Council Teacher Educators Prof M Siddiqui, in his address, said teacher educators are the hope of education and shaping of teachers is the responsibility of teacher educators.
“Gone are the days when it was believed that teachers could deliver without any orientation in their profession,” Siddiqui stated.