All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) maintained that unscheduled holidays announced by the state government was causing a major disruption of school routine and disturbed the rhythm of teaching and learning.
According to a press note issued by ANPSA, this was the conclusion by its member-schools at the 41st Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) held at the Conference Hall of de Oriental Grand, Kohima on October 17 and 18.
The meeting was attended by over 100 heads of schools from all over Nagaland during which various issues concerning the schools were also deliberated. ANPSA discussed on the issue of unscheduled holidays at length against the backdrop of the Department of School Education (DoSE) advising all schools to declare Saturday as holiday. ANPSA felt that the concept of holidays every Saturday would not be a welcome move as private schools engaged in a lot of co-curricular activities such as clubs, sports, skill development classes, etc.
ANPSA said a lot of urgent instructions were received almost every day for teachers and students to involve in and so all these activities consumed the time reserved for teaching and learning the syllabus and beyond. The meeting deliberated on the issue of quality education and the need for a School Safety Act to safeguard the dignity and safety of the teaching community, holistic approach to school education focussing on mental health awareness, counselling services and support systems within the home and also educational institutions were also deliberated.
It was also stressed that parents and educators to be empowered with knowledge and resources to address emotional and psychological challenges among students.
The meeting highlights included welcome address by ANPSA Central president Nini Sekhose, while treasurer Leneno Y Disong and secretary PJ Nathan gave their reports respectively.
Holy Cross principal Fr Philip invoked God’s blessings and paid obituaries. ANPSA Central ex-officio adviser Bithungo Kikon officiated over the programme in the first session, while Sochumbeni from Wokha unit enthralled the audience with the song “Give me one moment in time”.
The second session was the Principals’ Conclave where two resource persons from police headquarters deputed by director general of police (DGP) Rupin Sharma spoke at length about substance abuse and the pitfalls of social media.
Dr KPA Illyas, DIGP (CID), spoke on the topic “Substance Abuse”, while Additional SP, Cyber Security, Michael Yhome spoke on “Pitfalls of Social Media”. While Kaini Kikon invoked God’s blessings in the second session, ANPSA Zunheboto unit general secretary Bliss Achumigave a beautiful guitar recital.
ANPSA Central senior adviser Pheluopfelie proposed the vote of thanks and Baptist High, Kohima managing director Rev M Savi closed the programme with a prayer. Meanwhile, the association held its first Inter School Quartet Singing Competition on the theme “Let Your Harmony Flow” at RCEMPA, Jotsoma on October 17.
Ten schools from 10 district units, who were winners of the preliminary rounds in the districts, participated in the competition where Theja Meru, chairman of TaFMA, was the special guest. Hommiza Mimi Raman, associate director of Mt Hermon School, was the compere of the programme.
Students from Longleng, Phek, Mokokchung, Zunheboto, Kohima, Dimapur, Wokha, Peren, Tsemenyu and Chümoukedima units participated in the competition where Mele Pucho, Keziah Semy and Hentick Konyak were the judges.
Different schools from Kohima and Dimapur also presented special numbers. Kohima unit with the song “Killing Me Softly”, Wokha unit, Isaiah Ability School with the song “Sweetest Song” and Peren unit with the song “Bohemian Rhapsody” won the first, second and third prizes respectively.
While Rs 25,000 was given as the first prize, Rs 20,000 was given as the second prize and Rs 15,000 as the third prize. Theprizes were sponsored by Little Star Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, Commission for Education, Diocese of Kohima and Northfield Khikha, Kohima. The hall and sound system was sponsored by TaFMA, Kohima.
The programme ended with a vote of thanks from ANPSA central joint secretary Abalie Medoze, while association’s senior adviser Pheluopfelie pronounced the benediction.