Parents protest compulsory abacus and computer courses at Dimapur’s Holy Cross HSS, alleging added fees, lack of choice.
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DIMAPUR — Around 80 parents of Holy Cross Higher Secondary School (HCHSS) students in Dimapur on Thursday protested against the school management over the introduction of two skill-based learning programmes for the academic year 2026, alleging that the courses were being imposed and had added financial burden on families.
Addressing media persons at the school premises, the protesting parents said the school was enforcing an Advanced Computer Course and Abacus programme and had added the fees to the existing school and computer fees.
“We are not against everything but it should be an optional choice where one can decide if they want to take up the course. Don’t force it on us because we cannot pay four fees for one child at one time. We have to pay the school fees, advance computer fees, abacus fees and advance computer fees. We cannot afford it and that is why we are speaking out,” a parent claimed.
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Another parent alleged that ‘despite paying for AI classes earlier, their child spent the year playing computer games and did not learn artificial intelligence.’ The parent claimed the school had taken money while saying the course was optional and had already issued books.
Principal of HCHSS, Rev. Fr. Renthungo N Odyuo, told media persons that circulars were issued in November and December 2025 informing parents about the introduction of mental arithmetic skills and computer-enhanced programmes for students of Classes 1 to 7 from the academic year 2026.
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The fee was fixed at INR 1,300 per year for the abacus programme and INR 200 per month for the computer-enhanced programme.
He said the programmes were introduced “to include the students as a whole, to give privileges to all our students, even the poor ones,” and in line with the National Education Policy’s encouragement of co-curricular activities to enhance learning.
Odyuo acknowledged that parents had expressed grievances, after which a circular dated February 5 was issued requesting parents who did not wish to enrol their wards in the Advanced Computer Course to submit a written application to the principal’s office so that “suitable alternative arrangements” could be made.
On the allegation that students who could not afford the courses were told to take transfer certificates and leave the school, the principal refuted the claim.
He said, “If you are not able to adapt to the changes then there are many schools where you can also take alternative options to do that.”
He added that last year AI and Coding was introduced as an optional course at INR 500, and that this year the computer programme fee had been reduced to INR 200 per month to accommodate more students.
With regard to the involvement of Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU), the principal said he would have to discuss the matter with the management board before responding formally to the union.
DNSU general secretary Michael Kath said the union had held a lengthy discussion with the principal and board members but had not reached a conclusion. He said a joint meeting with parents, the full board and school authorities has been scheduled for February 13 to arrive at a decision.
On the introduction of skill-based programmes, DNSU officials said they understood the importance of such courses in changing times. However, since the courses are not part of the NBSE curriculum or syllabus, making them compulsory was not appropriate.