Social activism has potential to destroy values by causing divisions — Nini Sekhose

Dimapur, Oct. 8 (EMN): President of All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANSPA) Central, Nini Sekhose stated that at a time when social activism had become rife, even though such activism may be well intentioned, ‘it has the potential to destroy values that we hold dear, both by being a distraction and by causing divisions’.

She stated this while delivering the presidential address at the 38th Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) of ANSPA at Hotel Vivor Kohima on October 7.

“There is a blurry line between moral statements and politics which may cause us to lose our focus. ANPSA therefore chooses to take a different approach, to look at what is positive in our society, build upon it and guide our children to become problem solvers rather than problem seekers.

“As an educational body, we should not lose our focus. Many institutions arise, but only those institutions which can remain true to their reason for existence can stand the test of time. ANPSA’s reason for existence is excellence in education, not only in academics but nurturing our students to become compassionate human beings which contribute to our society by being problem solvers,” she said.

Meanwhile, giving a brief account of the history of ANPSA,  she said it was founded in 1983 with Pheluopfelie Kesiezie as president, followed by Huzo Meru, Pheluopfelie again, Aheto Sumi, Bithungo Kikon, and at present Nini Sekhose.

‘ANPSA has come a long way being a non-pressure, non-political group,’ she stated.

An update informed that on Oct. 6, the executive meeting was held at 4 pm  in the Conference hall of the same hotel. The Executive Meeting was moderated by Bithungo Kikon, Ex-Officio Advisor.

The presidents of the ANPSA district units and sub-units gave their reports and the proposed Constitution amendment was read out and discussed in detail, it read.

She said that ANPSA Central team of leaders had been able to successfully achieve many things even during the pandemic because of the support from the executive as well as the general body members.

PJ Nathan, the general secretary gave a comprehensive report. He also led the gathering to observe a one minute silence in memory of the teachers and school proprietors who passed away during the second wave of the pandemic.

ANPSA had set up a Compassionate Fund which went towards helping the families of these teachers and proprietors at the rate of INR 30,000 for teachers and INR 10,000 to INR 5,000 for school proprietors as per need, it said.

The moderator then read out the proposed amendments to the constitution which was accepted and passed. The morning session concluded with Bithuno Kikon, reading out the names of the search committee members who would be selecting the next team of office bearers of ANPSA Central for the term 2022 – 2024.

The second session was moderated by Pheluopfelie.

Father Charles D. Souza, Headmaster, St. Paul’s School, Phesama was the resource person for the keynote session. He gave a paper presentation on the NEP 2020. A State Teacher Awardee Dhurba Joyti Sen from Queen Mary Hr. Sec. School Mokokchung shared his experiences of teaching during the pandemic. He said that he has a YouTube channel called Sen Tutorials which teaches mathematics to students, it informed.

About 100 members from across the state attended the conference.