Teachers, without a doubt, are the unsung heroes who are the driving force behind the transformation of individuals, communities, and societies. In this edition of the Unheard Voices, we managed to speak to Karbi Anglong Primary Teachers’ Association (KAPTA) general secretary Probin Hanse in our humble attempt to know more about him and the work he is associated with.
TDE: Tell us about your early life and parents.
Probin: I was born on 7th July, 1977 at Sing Teron village, Mahamaya under Dokmoka police station, Karbi Anglong, to Burasing Hanse and Kadom Teronpi. I have two sisters and four brothers – Rina Hansepi (employee of Forest Department), Robinson Hanse (advocate), Ambika Hansepi (wife of Dr. Samuel Tokbi), Ronjit Hanse, Jirhon Hanse (social worker) and Chotrasing Hanse (advocate).
My father worked as a teacher in a Government Lower Primary School. He started by teaching at Lemtem Singnar village, Langlokso. Later, he was transferred to Dikasang LP School, and then to Sing Teron School (he passed away while teaching here). He was diagnosed with a fatal heart disease and in 1994, he breathed his last at Diphu Civil Hospital. My mother, a housewife, then took up the responsibility of the family.
TDE: Tell us about your school education.
Probin: I started my schooling at Sing Teron LP School then I joined Dokmoka Higher Secondary School for ME and high school. I cleared my matriculation from here and also enrolled for higher secondary, but I had to give up till class 12.
As my father passed away in 1994 (the year I passed my HSLC), while we were still very young, the responsibility to help my mother in looking after my siblings and the household fell on my shoulders. In those days, the ASDC was in power at the KAAC, and I approached them to appoint me as a teacher on compassionate ground. I went through an interview and was selected. The then KAAC EM Sonasing Terang had been very helpful to me in getting the job. I was appointed in the same school were my father taught. Busy with new responsibilities, I could not continue my studies.
I remember, the KAAC provided assistance (cash money Rs. 27000 and a pair of oxen) to our family on the demise of my father. Along with my sibling, we also did farming in the agricultural land my father purchased while he was alive.
TDE: Tell us about your wife and children.
Probin: In 1998, I tied the knot with Protima Teronpi. She is a housewife and takes care of the house and family. She is very sincere in her works, and I am very happy to be with her. We have three children – Generalson Hanse (Genu Vlogs), Sarchinghon Hanse and Sermili Hansepi.
TDE: Tell us about the school you have taught in?
Probin: I began my job as a teacher at Sing Teron Assamese Medium LP School, the school where I once studied and my father taught. After a few years, due to the poor health of one lady teacher, I was mutually transferred to Kajasera Assamese Medium LP School, and to date, I am continuing my service there. The school is located in a non-tribal locality, and the students are mostly Bihari and Adivasi who are either small businessmen or daily wagers.
Our school has all the facilities provided by the government. Students receive free uniforms for students, free textbooks, and also mid-day-meals. There are 157 students in the school and five teachers including me.
The problem in our school is that most of the parents lack consciousness and awareness for the need to send their children regularly to school. Due to irregularities in attendance, it is difficult for students to learn things that are taught. Also, we have learned that barring a few, these students are never insisted to study at home or no one helps them in studies.
In the recent times, we have held a number of parent-teacher meetings along with SMDC members to convince the parents to send their children regularly. We appealed them to excuse their children from minor events at home. I am happy to say that after our repeated urges to the parents, things are getting better slowly.
TDE: Tell us about KAPTA and your association with it?
Probin: On 10th October 1958, at the Multiple School Bokajan, the Karbi Anglong Primary Teachers’ Association (KAPTA) was formed with Samuel Engti as the president and Satyadev Sharma as the general secretary. At the time of its foundation, KAPTA had only 132 teachers as members. The objective of the association was to work for providing equal opportunity to get school education to all children of Karbi Anglong district.
In 2001, I was given the charge of secretary at the Dokmoka Teacher Gathering Centre which I held till 2007. For the period 2008-2009, I was a member of the Howraghat Education Block. In April 2010, the annual conference of KAPTA was held at Balipathar under Bokajan block. I was 30-years-old then, very young in comparison to most other teachers. I was reluctant, but a few friends persuaded me to contest for the post of general secretary. To my surprise, I came out victorious, and thus began my journey with KAPTA.
We are an association of government employees and are not like the social organisations. However, one must admit that KAPTA is a very important body, where irrespective of religion and caste, primary school teachers come together to share useful ideas that could be used in teaching. We also discuss the important issues and problems among teachers and schools and work to find out the solution to such problems. In our annual conferences held every year, we share the platform for collectively discussing such points to ensure that no children of the district are deprived of education.
As the general secretary of KAPTA, along with other members of my team, we approach the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council leaders time and again to ensure that all the schemes and funds released by the government reaches every school. KAAC is also actively engaging its resources to address the matters we relate to them.
TDE: Please mention any remarkable accomplishment by KAPTA.
Probin: In 2006, the former KAAC EM and also former KAPTA president Alice Engtipi and former general secretary Dhoniram Ronghang, led the struggle for pensions of primary school teachers. Several rounds of discussions were held among the teachers in this matter. As a result of their efforts, on 6th July 2006, the government accepted the proposal to give pension to retired teachers.
TDE: What are the major problems of Lower Primary schools in Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong?
Probin: There is a total of 1413 LP schools in the two districts. Of this, 500 (300 in WKA, 200 in KA) schools are located in remote areas in the hilly places. Some are at least 40-50 kms away from what can be called proper road. The main problems of these schools are the lack of proper road connectivity. In dry seasons it is somewhat okay, but becomes extremely difficult to reach them. I hope the government will take up needful steps to provide good road.
Even though it is not possible in the present time for the government to construct hostels and staff quarters for every school, but I would say that making such provisions would help the teachers a lot, especially those who travel far distances to reach school every day. Or, the govt. should work to connect all schools with good road, electricity supply, mobile networks and other basic facilities.
TDE: What suggestions would you give to the parents who send their children to government schools?
Probin: There is a need for greater consciousness among parents. I request them to look after the studies of their children like parents of private school students do. However, it can be observed that about 90% of the parents and guardians of students coming to government schools are least bothered about study at home or not. The studies, reading and writing at school are not adequate, students need to read at home, and the parents must ensure that they read.
Most of the students in government schools are from economically weaker families. Their parents are also busy earning bread to survive. This makes them take less interest in the studies of their children. Schemes like PM-Poshan (Mid-Day-Meal), free textbooks, free uniforms and others are playing big role to help such parents.
No doubt, the government is putting all efforts to improve the quality of education in lower primary schools, but only the primary goal of quality and universal education cannot be realised without the active and equal support from parents and society.
TDE: What are the transformations you want to see in the education scenario of Karbi Anglong?
Probin: Changes have begun, and I hope in the next 3-4 years we can see a better atmosphere. I want to urge all sections of society to play a big role in this. When those in the government, society, media and the parents are themselves educated, the young children will definitely follow us.
Among some of the things needed to be done are –
- Regular and sincere discharge of duty by teachers. They should make the students aware of the need to work hard and also appeal the parents to send their children regularly.
- Lower primary teachers (especially of those schools with single teacher) must be relieved from election-related and other non-academic works. In a school, there are normally 32 subjects (Class 1 to 5), so it is unrealistic to expect from a single teacher to complete teaching.
- There is a need for the appointment of more teachers in order to maintain the 30 students for 1 teacher ratio. Subject wise teachers should be made available. There must be at least three teachers in schools in the hilly areas with lesser students, and at least 6 in the plain areas with more students.
- Teaching mother-tongue language should be encouraged and popularised to facilitate easier learning and understanding.