Directorate of School Education (DoSE) principal director, Thavaseelan K acknowledged the challenges faced by girls pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers in the state and highlighted the need to address the gender gap in this field.
Speaking at the “MasterCoach Teachers Program Excellence” award ceremony on January 24 at DoSE YouthNet in collaboration with Quest Alliance and DoSE, Thavaseelan K commended YouthNet, IBM, and Quest Alliance for their dedication to implementing IBM-STEM for girls in Nagaland.
While acknowledging the challenges faced by girls pursuing STEM careers in the state, he said the program not only addresses the gender gap but also equips teachers with crucial 21st-century skills.
Lauding the program’s current focus on six districts, Thavaseelan requested IBM, Quest Alliance, and YouthNet to consider extending it to the remaining 10 districts.
Despite difficulties in placing appointed teachers in their designated schools, he praised the award recipients for effectively completing the assigned course. Earlier, in a welcome address, director of YouthNet and the first MasterCoach from Nagaland, Nuneseno Chase detailed the progress and notable achievements of the MasterCoach program.
Highlighting the dedication of teachers, she noted an impressive 58% overall completion rate by 171 teachers from 57 Government High Schools and Higher Secondary Schools across six districts namely Kohima, Tseminyu, Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Niuland, and Kiphire.
Chase also expressed hope for the program’s expansion to cover all 16 districts with the support of the DoSE principal director.
Awards were presented to the six best-performing teachers from the districts of Kohima, Tseminyu, Kiphire, Chümoukedima, Dimapur and Niuland. The recipients are Nepasula from Government High School (GHS) Chandmari, Khriekeyieno Zashumo from GHS Kandinu, Imlipenla from GHS Kichang, Mary Rhi from GHS Chümoukedima Village, Anungla Pongener from GHS Lingrijan, and Bovika H Chishi from GHS Zuheshe.