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Dimapur, Aug. 24 (EMN): St. Christopher School at Chessore in Tuensang district brought laurels to Nagaland by winning the first prize in the maiden “Pallikkutam National Award for Innovation in Education, 2020”. The school walked away with a cash prize of INR 1 lakh and a citation, while the second prize winner received INR 50,000 and INR 25,000 for the third place.
According to an update from the secretary of Kohima Diocese, as many as 55 schools from all over the country participated in the contest which was instituted to recognise educational institutions engaged in bringing about innovations in education, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown.
‘The fact that a middle school in a remote and inaccessible region bagged the first prize among the participants that are from much developed and progressive economy and technology accessible areas only shows that we can be creative and innovative in our given situation,’ the press release stated.
Pallikkutam National Award was set up by Rajagiri Media, Kerala, in association with Indian Institute of Management, Kozhikode, Federal Bank Ltd. and Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore.
The Covid-19 pandemic has disrupted the normal life of everyone, and education is no exception; creating a grave crisis to traditional educational practice but every crisis is also an opportunity, and thus most school have switched to alternative, new and innovative ways to continue education, it was informed.
According to the organisers, the purposes of the award are: to honour educational leadership of the nation who manage the conduct of education due disruption caused by the Covid-19 induced educational lockdown; to showcase the innovative ways in education as a model for other institutions to follow; and to spread the praxis of excellence in education and to make the quality of education universal.
“Covid-19 is a dangerous disruptive agent, but it is also an opportunity for a paradigm shift in education through innovation. As stipulated by National Educational Policy (NEP) of 2020, India awaits a paradigm shift in education, to make education available, accessible, adaptable and affordable for all. The word ‘Pallikkutam’ is one of the foundational legacy of our nation that began with Buddhist revolution in education, to free education from the caste-based exclusivism. Buddhist education was truly inclusive, secular, scientific, liberal and international,’ it was informed.
Dwelling on the name of the award, it was informed that the word Pallikkutam comes from Pali language – Palli means monastery and Kutam means attached, and thus Pallikkutam means school attached to the monastery. In south Indian languages of Tamil and Malayalam, Pallikkutam is synonym with school, a school that is attached to the Church.
“Pallikkutam project of Rajgiri Media endeavours to revisit, restore, and revive the legacy of Pallikkuttams following the example St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, who was instrumental in preserving pallikkuttam legacy in education by promoting people to build pallikkutam along with churches in the state of Kerala a century before India asserted its freedom and became an independent nation. The award is a celebration of diversity of innovation cultures in India. Thus the award has a unique connect to the educational legacy of India,” the update read.
St. Christopher School, Chessore, is a middle school up to Class 8 and started by Diocese of Kohima in 2015 and the enrolment this year is about 500 with twelve staff, it was informed. “The existing infrastructure is minimum, although the diocese is trying to build proper building against all odds, especially the long distance and very poor road and transport conditions. In spite of the lockdown, the school management under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Loyola Anthony, motivated the teachers to realise that learning is not just confined to the four walls of the classroom alone, but it can take place even at home with proper guidance,” it said.
It stated that being in a very remote are, technology is not accessible, and so virtual classes, online tests, use of smartphone and televisions were not feasible with few exceptions. Therefore they relied more on direct intervention like allowing the children to learn, grow and explore their creativity through more home-based activities.
They organised an awareness campaign through skit, placards, poster and booklets to prepare them to combat Covid-19. For those who could afford smartphones, the school facilitate learning by uploading notes, assignments, list of competitions and conducting online tests through WhatsApp, while school office was opened for few hours on all days by following all SOP issued by the government of Nagaland for students who couldn’t afford to buy gadgets.
It informed that not a single student was left out in the learning process as they could collect lesson notes, assignments and project works, as well as information on various programmes initiated by the school. “The result was 100% participation.”
“The syllabus for learning consisted of written literary competitions, mathematical puzzles, aptitude tests, general knowledge, drawing and colouring, handwriting (English and local dialect), essay writings, folk story writings, moral story writing, composing poem in English and local dialect, translation from English to local dialect and vice versa, etc.,” it informed.
“There were also talent competitions that were captured digitally on video such as recitation of folk songs and stories in English and local dialect, recitation of moral stories, hair styling, dances, dress, action songs, speech, arts and crafts, treasure hunting that included identifying materials and utensils at home, making list of them and explain their usage, writing summary of reading books, fancy dress, karate and yoga show. The best performing videos will be uploaded in the school YouTube page,” it added.
The update went on to state that the overwhelming positive response from the teachers, parents and students was the proof of its success. ‘The children were happy to be at home and occupied without being bored; they were proud to display their talents in front of their parents and teachers; they found their parents actively involved in their learning process; they had more time to play and learn, experiment and be creative. For them it was a fun to learn and be home,’ it stated.
‘The teachers were encouraged to give more seeing the enthusiasm of the students. The parents were happy to see their children positively engaged at home and in close proximity, and felt more relaxed in teaching the children to dance, sing and capturing them in videos. In this way, St. Christopher School, Chessore is in the process of creating innovative ways by which every house becomes a school and every parent a teacher,’ it said.
The Kohima Diocese has congratulated the school management, staff, students and parents of St. Christopher School for bringing laurels to Nagaland through the achievement.