DIMAPUR — The All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) felt that the concept of a holiday every Saturday as announced by the government would not be a ‘welcome’ move as it causes major disruption of the school routine and disturbs the rhythm of teaching and learning.
An update from ANPSA stated that the issue of unscheduled holidays was deliberated at length during its 41st annual general body meeting (AGBM) on October 17 and 18 at the conference hall of de Oriental Grand in Kohima. It claimed that private schools engage in a lot of co-curricular activities like clubs, sports, skill development classes etc., while a lot of urgent instructions are received almost every day for teachers and students to be involved in which eats into the time reserved for teaching and learning the syllabus and beyond.
In the first session, the members deliberated upon several issues faced by private schools. It stated that the issue of quality education and the need for a school safety act to safeguard the dignity and safety of the teaching community, a holistic approach to school education focusing on mental health awareness, counselling services and support systems within the home and also educational institutions, importance of parents and educators to be empowered with knowledge and resources to address emotional and psychological challenges among students were discussed.
In the second session, which was the principal’s conclave, two resource persons from Police Headquarters (PHQ), Kohima, deputed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Rupin Sharma, spoke on substance abuse and the pitfalls of social media. It stated that Dr. KPA Illyas, DIGP (CID) PHQ, spoke on ‘Substance abuse,’ while Michael Yhome, Additional SP of Cyber Security, spoke on ‘Pitfalls of social media.’
The meeting was attended by more than 100 heads of schools from all over Nagaland.
On October 17, ANPSA organised its 1st Inter-School Quartet Singing Competition on the theme ‘Let your harmony flow’ at RCEMPA in Jotsoma with Theja Meru, chairman of TaFMA, as the special guest.
It stated that 10 schools from Longleng unit, Phek unit, Mokokchung unit, Zunheboto unit, Kohima unit, Dimapur unit, Wokha unit, Peren unit, Tseminyu unit and Chümoukedima unit participated in the competition.
Apart from the competition, schools from Kohima and Dimapur presented special numbers namely ‘Naughty Matilda’ by Pilgrim Higher Secondary School, Dimapur; ‘Everyday is a new day’ by Baptist High Kohima; choreography by Little Star Higher Secondary School, Dimapur; Musical piece by Dzüvürü Public School, Kohima; ‘Jenny on the block’ by The Vineyard, Kohima; ‘In my little corner-Cinderella’ by Rincho Academy, Sovima; Bollywood remix by Hebron Higher Secondary School, Sovima; ‘Just a little talk with Jesus’ by Northfield Khikha, Kohima; 90’s vibes by St. Andrews School, Jotsoma.
In the competition, Kohima unit won the first prize for the song ‘Killing me softly,’ while the second prize was won by Wokha unit for the song “Sweetest song,’ and the third prize was won by Peren unit for the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’
The three winners received cash prizes of INR 25,000, INR 20,000 and INR 15,000 respectively.
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