Since 1930s: Community continues legacy of school in Kohima village

Morung Express News
Kohima | April 16

With its genesis dating back to 1930s, a ‘school cum meeting hall’ located in the heart of Kohima village was pioneered initially for the cause of “the less privileged children who had to spend the day tending their herds or babysitting siblings, whose parents could not afford to send them to day school.” This school is now known as Government Middle School (GMS), T Khel, Kohima village being taken over by the government in the year 1946.

Following the commemoration of its Platinum Jubilee in year 2017, a noble project was initiated with contributions from the community especially the alumni “to give better education to our upcoming generations under the project name- “Give back to the Society.” While the project was delayed on account of the COVID-19 pandemic, the GMS, T Khel, Kohima village today saw the project becoming a reality through its new school building which was formally inaugurated by Thavaseelan K, IAS, Principal Director of School Education.

“The one thing that is immediately apparent is how the community leaders, the pioneers of the village and the visionaries came together in terms of thinking about education way back in the 1930s when the rest of the state or even the country for that matter, was not exactly thinking about education,” the Principal Director remarked while addressing the gathering.

Observing that the community support continued all throughout the years and it has morphed into this beautiful building, he went on to say that among all the GMSs in the state, the newly inaugurated building would be hands-down the best middle school and further congratulated the community and all the leaders of T Khel who have conceptualised the project and completed it. He also said that the beautiful asset is something that not only T Khel or Kohima village would be proud of but that even the department is incredibly happy about.

Schools where communities are active doing phenomenally well
“One recurring theme in the department that we keep seeing again and again is schools where communities are very active, and School Management Committees (SMC), School Management Development Committees (SMDC) know exactly what they are supposed to do and taken active interest in the renovation of the school have always done phenomenally well, not just in terms of enrolment, infrastructure, results, but they sort of become exemplar schools,” Thavaseelan K, IAS highlighted.

He also spoke about ‘Performance Incentive Grant’ (PIG), a component under the World Bank funded Nagaland Education Project- The Light House, NECTAR (Nagaland Enhancing Classroom Teaching and Resources) wherein the results have taken the department by surprise to the extent to which it has done well. World Bank is also ecstatic with the outcome, he stated while citing how communities are coming together towards developing schools, something which even the rest of the country is struggling with as also observed by World Bank.

The Principal Director went on to say that even before the second installment is given out to schools, the communities are stepping up to complete the required activities of the school. “This is giving us a lot of hope in terms of reforming the school ecosystem in the state,” he articulated while adding that it is also “a beautiful example of how our state is leaving the rest of the country behind when it comes to community participation in the education of children.”

Committed to ensure and fix problems plaguing the dept
After Police Department with about 32000 people, School Education is the second largest department in the state with about 25000 people out of which there are about 19000 teachers and 6000 odd staff spread across the state. Like any other department, the Principal Director said School Education has its own share of problems including legacy problems which have been accumulated over the years.

Pointing out that for any department with very large number of people, mismanagement is the single most difficult thing, he however said, “just as how Rome wasn’t built on a day but by laying bricks every hour…that is something we are doing right now.”

The results of what they are trying to accomplish, he elucidated, “may not be immediately apparent. It might be apparent 5 years down the line or 10 years down the line.” “But I want to assure you that every single person right from the advisor is committed to ensure and fix whatever problem that is plaguing the department,” he said. 

For the things that are going well, he added, “we want to enhance and ensure that it continues and does even better in the years to come but fix the problem…that is the key.”

He further highlighted that the department is essentially looking at five pillars namely, Foundation Literacy and Numeracy, Infrastructure both in terms of physical and digital infrastructure, Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogical Reforms, Inclusive Education ensuring that every kid irrespective of whether they are differently abled or not is given the same opportunity to learn, and Vocational Training to ensure that children develop an entrepreneurial mindset.  

Presenting the Construction Committee Report, Er Kelhousinyü Solo, Convenor said that the total project cost of the new school building amounts to Rs 1.55 crore. The School building has G+4 storeys, principal’s room/staff room, pantry/auditorium and 14 classrooms while the students intake capacity is 300-350 students.

Other highlights of the programme included invocation by Rev Kevimse Suohu, Senior Pastor, Naga Bazar Baptist Church, welcome address by Dzieseneituo Belho, Head Teacher, GMS, Tsütuonuomia theme song by Ledilhounuo Sekhose, special number by GMS school choir, folk song by T Khel Women, exhortation by Helievi-o Solo, Chairman, Kohima Village Council, special song by Methaneilie Jütakhrie Solo and vote of thanks by Mhasisetuo Solo, President, T Khel Students Union. K Neibou Sekhose, Chairman, T Khel Council was the chairman while Kevipfheü Solo and Seyiekhrietuo Sekhose were the comperes.