Teacher from Nagaland selected for National Award

I want to be an agent of change through teaching, says Kire

Our Correspondent

Kohima, August 18 (EMN): Swedesunuo Zao Kire (47), head teacher of Government Middle School (GMS) in Jakhama, is the lone candidate from Nagaland to be selected for ‘National Award to Teachers, 2021’.

The Ministry of School Education and Literacy on Wednesday announced the list of 44 teachers from across the country who have been selected for the national award.

Though elated by the national recognition, Kire’s immediate reaction was about her determination and vision to mould the students as a head teacher.

She said that she has more responsibilities and duties to perform for the students, particularly the less privileged ones.

‘I have come thus far, but I have to put in more effort and labour as long as my health permits,” the teacher shared.

“I have to start afresh again,” she said while speaking to Eastern Mirror on Wednesday evening.

“I’m working with a vision to be an agent of change,” said Kire, who has been teaching for 24 years at the same government school in Jakhama village.

Her motto and vision throughout her teaching journey, she said, has been to bring a change in the society by catering to the needs of the students, especially the poor and downtrodden in the village through her teaching.

After receiving the accolade, she said that she has a new obligation to go through again with more “dedication and regularity” for nurturing the students in the school.

‘I am ready to welcome whatever responsibility is assigned to me by the department,’ Kire, who is also a mother of two boys, said.

It was learnt that the village council had proposed her name to be appointed as the head teacher of the government school since 2012 though there were teachers who were more senior to her.

The principal director of School Education, Shanavas C, expressed happiness at the presence of Nagaland in the limelight unlike last year.

He recalled how none could go through the selection process despite sending three candidates last year.

However, he expressed satisfaction that out of the two they had proposed this year, one had made it through the interview from the Ministry and had been selected for the prestigious award.

‘Nagaland’s presence is there out of only 44 teachers from all over the country,’ Shanavas said. “The department is really feeling great and proud of the teacher as well as the school,” he added.

It may be mentioned that GMS, Jakhama had been selected as the “model school” for the year 2019 by the School Education department.

It was learnt that there were 180 students currently enrolled in GMS, Jakhama for the year from Class – A to 8.