‘Concept of holiday every Saturday would not be a welcome move’: ANPSA

October 20, 2023 13 Views No Comment

Kohima, October 20 (MExN): More than 100 heads of schools from all over Nagaland attended the 41st AGBM of All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) held in Kohima on October 17 and 18.

During the meeting, a press release issued by ANPSA stated that the question of unscheduled holidays was deliberated at length. “Unscheduled holidays announced by the Government cause a major disruption of the school routine and disturb the rhythm of teaching and learning,” it observed.

The ANPSA members also felt that the “concept of holidays every Saturday would not be a welcome move.” It stated that private schools engage in a lot of co-curricular activities like clubs, sports, skill development classes, etc. “Moreover a lot of urgent instructions are received almost every day for teachers and students to involve in. All these activities eat into the time reserved for teaching and learning the syllabus and beyond,” the association stated.

Deliberating upon issues facing private schools, the members also discussed on 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 focusing on mental health awareness, counseling services and support systems within the home and also educational institutions. It also recognised the importance of parents and educators to be empowered with knowledge and resources to address emotional and psychological challenges among students.

Earlier, Fr Philip, Principal, Holy Cross said the invocation, remembered the obituaries that were presented; Bithungo Kikon, Ex Officio Advisor, ANPSA Central officiated the programme; Sochumbeni from Wokha Unit presented a song; welcome address was given by Nini Sekhose, President, ANPSA Central, Leneno Y Disong and PJ Nathan gave the treasurer report and secretary report respectively.

The second session was the Principal’s Conclave where Dr KPA Illyas IPS, DIGP (CID) PHQ and Michael Yhome, NPS, Additional SP, Cyber Security spoke on ‘substance abuse’ and ‘pitfalls of social media’ respectively.

Bliss Achumi, General Secretary of ANPSA Zunheboto Unit presented a guitar recital; Pheluopfelie, Sr Advisor ANPSA Central gave the vote of thanks and Rev M Savi, Managing Director, Baptist High, Kohima said the closing prayer.

On October 17, ANPSA Central held its 1st inter-school quartet singing competition under the theme ‘let your harmony flow’ at RCEMPA Jotsoma. Theja Meru, Chairman TaFMA was the special guest while the judges were Mele Pucho, Keziah Semy and Hentick Konyak. Altogether 10 schools from 10 district units, who were winners of the preliminary rounds from the districts, participated in the competition.

Kohima Unit won the first position with the song ‘Killing Me Softly’ followed by Wokha Unit with the song ‘Sweetest Song’ and Peren Unit with the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ on second and third positions. The winners were awarded Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively. The prizes were sponsored by Little Star Hr Sec School, Dimapur, Commission for Education, Diocese of Kohima and Northfield Khikha, Kohima. The hall and sound system was sponsored by TaFMA.