‘Education important tool to uplift economic status of people’

GMS Jakhama featured in first newsletter of School Education

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Sep. 5 (EMN): Principal Director of School Education, Shanavas C stated that education was an important tool that could help in uplifting the economical and social status of people in the society and the teaching community had the responsibility of contributing their best towards this noble cause.

He stated this in the first volume of the four-page newsletter titled “Finding Champions”, of the department of School Education, which was released by KT Sukhalu during the state-level Teachers’ Day celebration at the directorate of School Education on Sunday.

He informed that in Nagaland, 74.4% of elementary schools and 43.6% of secondary schools were owned and managed by the state government.

However, he mentioned that only 43.2% of the elementary students and 32.3 % of the secondary school students were studying in government schools.

Nevertheless, Shanavas asserted that teachers alone cannot be blamed for this scenario. However, with dedication, hard work and innovative approaches, he expressed positivity that teachers and school heads could change the face of the government schools.

Though many schools may not have good infrastructure, the officer stated how it was imperative to present an environment which would make children feel comfortable and carry on learning in a joyful way. “If all stakeholders of school education join hands together and work with dedication, we could easily change the common perception people have towards government schools and make them as places of joyful learning,” he said.

Maintaining that many government schools in the state had been performing well and rendering immense services to the society, he said the “noble services and remarkable contributions” made by the teachers’ community of these schools unfortunately failed to get their due appreciation.

As such, he said that the department wished to highlight the important initiatives being undertaken by different government schools through the newsletter so that it would encourage them to strive for sustained development and will also motivate others to adopt the best practices in their schools.

In the first issue, Shanavas described how teachers of Government Middle School (GMS), Jakhama from Kohima district, demonstrated this characteristic in all the activities being undertaken at the school.

Stating that there was no place for the “evil practices of proxy and absenteeism” at the school, he informed that the educators strictly followed the school timings prescribed by the department.

It also informed how some of the teachers even rendered services beyond their call of duty and acted as local guardians for nearly 20 students who stay at rented houses as their parents work as labourers in the neighboring states.

The bulletin also narrated about how the walls inside the school class rooms as well as outside were painted with educative pictures appropriate for children.

It also mentioned how in primary classes, one would find nature and life painted around them while in upper primary classes, pictures related to Science, Mathematics, Social Science etc., were painted.

Stating that these pictures aroused interest among students and helped in making the learning permanent, the principal director said the “school serves as a best example emphasizing the importance of joining hands by all stakeholders of education: teachers, students, parents, community and the department.”

The newsletter also went on to inform how the small school ground in the school campus which was uneven had been leveled and filled with tiles by the contribution made by the school head teacher.

It explained how two long rows of cement corridor were constructed by donations made by students and teachers, adding that each student donated INR 20, the cost of one stone while all the teachers also contributed a reasonable amount.

Construction works of the corridor, fencing walls, leveling the ground, fixing of tiles etc were done by the parents free of cost while the village council donated the pipelines required for drinking water supply and also donated a good amount for the construction of a few classrooms.

The school had a small library with books appropriate for the students.

They also collect old books from students during result declaration and keep them at the library while these old books are used by students during delays caused in supply of new textbooks and also serve as reference books for students, it said.

Most importantly, students use the library on regular schedules. The school has a small computer lab with five computers, all in working condition.

The computers are used by teachers and students from time-to-time. Mid-day meals are served to all students up to class 8 throughout the year as per government norms.

The love and care being shown by the teachers for their students could be witnessed during serving of mid-day meals as the teachers become a part of activity, it read.

Above all, one could witness the disciplined nature of students within the classrooms as well as outside.

With a total enrollment of nearly 180, the students performed well in academics as well.

Shanavas had recorded his sincere appreciation to the head teacher Swedesunuo, all teachers, supporting staff, parents, village council members and well wishers of the school.

It was learnt that the newsletter with more pages would be published quarterly depending on the support and encouragement the department receives from school heads and teachers.

It was informed that schools may send reports of innovative practices being followed along with photographs through email to director.se.nagaland@g-mail.com. At the end of the year, the best performing schools among GPS, GMS, GHS, GHSS will be selected and conferred awards/rewards by the department.