In Nagaland, only 30.4 per cent of the students in the age group of 14 to 18 can do simple division as against national average of 43.1 per cent, advisor to Nagaland school education department KT Sukhalu said on Wednesday said.
Quoting annual education status report 2017, he also said only 37.7 per cent of the students in the state can do calculation and evaluation compared to national average of 50 per cent.
Sukhalu said it is disheartening to note the poor performance of students of the state, especially in maths and science, which is very much below the national average. He was speaking at the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration at Nagaland Baptist Church Council Convention Centre in Kohima.
He explained that a teacher’s job is not to finish a textbook but to help the student understand what is in the textbook and why it is important to study it. He said the teachers need to give the context of the subjects to their students because the subject matter is the foundation on which students will build their worldview and make their career and life choices.
Sukhalu also appealed to the teachers not to shame the students who give wrong answers and instead appreciate their courage in answering out loud because education is successful when the students begin to question what they are taught.
He asked the teachers to be fair in their treatment of students. He said the issue of tribe, language, religion, race, food habits etc. should never be a ground to treat students differentially because the things they see in the classroom will stay with them for life and they will remember the example the teachers have set.
He further requested the teachers attached to various offices to resume their duties by joining their assigned school without delay. He reminded them to introspect on their commitment as a teacher because teaching is a noble profession and they are supposed to make a difference.
The advisor asked all the teachers to submit their AADHAR number to the department without further delay to link with the biometric system.
On the occasion, 15 teachers were given state-level teachers’ award.