Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Sharingain Longkumer launches 'The Active Learner Series' authored by Dr. Ajunla Lipok in Mokokchung.
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MOKOKCHUNG — Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) Speaker Sharingain Longkumer launched ‘The Active Learner Series’, a set of 11 books authored by Dr. Ajunla Lipok, at Whispering Winds in Mokokchung on Thursday.
The series is designed to support three years of early childhood education. It is structured into three progressive levels that align with the developmental stages of young learners.
The books were designed and illustrated by Bendangonen Atsongchanger and published by TCC Printing and Publishing House.
Addressing the gathering, Longkumer stated the importance of recognising meaningful contributions in a rapidly changing world. He noted that initiatives like the one undertaken by Dr. Lipok are significant milestones in the journey of education.
Longkumer advocated for cultivating the habit of reading among children from a very young age. He remarked that while many view running a school as a profitable business, he considers education a “social business".
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He acknowledged that educational institutions do require a profit motive to cover salaries, maintenance, and other operational expenses. "You are playing with people's lives," he said, adding, "never forget the profound moral responsibility you carry, as they are directly shaping young lives."
He added that this principle applies not only to education but also to healthcare and print media, where social responsibility should always take precedence over commercial interests.
Expressing concern over modern parenting challenges, Longkumer pointed out that parents in the current fast-paced generation often hand over mobile phones to small children.
He firmly opposed this practice, stating that digital literacy is important for adults but not suitable for minors.
“Handing over technology to a child which even adults do not fully understand can be disastrous and may rob the child of their innocence,” he warned. He announced that he would launch a campaign against the early exposure of mobile phones to children.
In her remarks, author Dr. Ajunla Lipok described the series as an outcome of years of experience, deep reflection, and a commitment to improving early childhood education.
She observed that over the years, many educational materials have relied heavily on rote learning and repetition, with very little focus on genuine engagement, exploration, or conceptual understanding. She also expressed disappointment with the quality of available literacy resources for young children.
Dr. Lipok explained the structure of the series. Level 1, comprising four books, focuses on familiarisation and joyful engagement as the child’s first structured introduction to learning. Level 2, with three books, shifts towards more intentional and skill-orientated learning, helping children connect knowledge with its practical use. Level 3, featuring four books, highlights consolidation, application, and deeper understanding.