Tuensang village student body launches free tuition project to combat dropouts

Moses Hongang Chang
Tuensang | September 14

In a bid to tackle academic failure and high dropout rates among underprivileged students, the Tuensang Village Students’ Union (TVSU) launched the “Free Tuition Project” in April 2023. This initiative aims to provide remedial education to students in government schools, offering them a fair learning environment without the burden of financial instability.

The project currently supports 261 students from classes 1 to 8, all of whom attend government schools in Tuensang. To date, the TVSU has successfully sponsored ten qualified teachers, all graduates from within the village, to provide free tuition with monthly incentives for their services. Tuitions are conducted at various locations, including Government Primary Schools in the lower, middle, and upper khels of Tuensang village.

Fostering a positive learning environment
The “Free Tuition Project” focuses on supporting underprivileged students at risk of falling behind or dropping out of school. In addition to academic support, the initiative emphasizes fostering effective study habits and encouraging parental involvement in their children’s education. 

Choba of K/Khel shared, “Not many give free tuition, it has encouraged us, and the children are getting used to the study environment. They have even started studying at home on their own, which is a welcome sight for us. They do the homework assigned to them. My child asked me to make a table at home so that he can sit on it and study. We are so happy for this initiative.” 

Through this project, the TVSU seeks to instil disciplined study habits and a positive attitude towards learning among students. The union also initiated seminars for parents of the students from April 2024, now in their 18th phase, focusing on the role of education and how it begins at home under the theme “Syncretisation begins in one’s own home.”

Addressing educational gaps
The initiative has revealed gaps in the performance of the existing government school teaching staff, with the TVSU receiving feedback from tutor teachers about the quality of instruction through the students attending the tuition classes. Tochi Imlong, President of TVSU, noted, “So, in a way, it is an inspection for us, and the teachers become more sincere.” This approach has highlighted the need for professional development for some educators, ensuring that teaching quality is addressed in tandem with the students’ needs.

The project has already shown positive results, with students demonstrating improved grades, better study habits, and increased parental involvement. “Parents are also putting in effort, and it has had a positive impact even on the schools,” added Tochi. “Students who are availing the bus service are now more considerate towards their parents, knowing that they are spending monthly fare for the service, which is a lot in a village. They have also become sincere, and there hasn’t been much absenteeism in school attendance.”

Community support and contributions
Remarkably, the TVSU has garnered substantial support for the “Free Tuition Project” without any prior advertisement or solicitation. Various individuals and well-wishers have come forward with donations, significantly easing the union’s efforts to provide quality education. These unsolicited contributions have significantly bolstered the project’s capacity to offer quality education to those in need, underscoring the community’s commitment to uplifting underprivileged students and providing free education without compromising on quality.

Addressing transportation challenges
In addition to the free tuition initiative, TVSU’s efforts to address student dropouts extended to tackling transportation challenges. A survey conducted by the union revealed that the lack of local high schools and the difficulty in commuting to distant schools like Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Tuensang, Government High School (GHS) Chaba, and GHSS Hakushang, located 3 to 5 kilometres away, contributed to the increase in student dropouts.

Responding to this need, Imtichoba, MLA for 54 A/C Tuensang Sadar-II, donated a bus to the TVSU on August 17, which began operations on September 2. The bus service has already registered 25 students, charging a nominal monthly fee of Rs 500. The service has not only facilitated easier access to education but also fostered a sense of responsibility among the students.

Future plans
Looking ahead, the TVSU aims to sustain and expand the “Free Tuition Project” by inviting contributions from well-wishers and exploring community crowdfunding within Tuensang village. By continuing this initiative, the union seeks to address educational challenges and provide ongoing support to underprivileged students, reinforcing its efforts to improve access to quality education in the region.

Source: https://morungexpress.com/tuensang-village-student-body-launches-free-tuition-project-to-combat-dropouts