In an effort to address educational needs in rural settings, Government High School (GHS) Mangmetong, Mokokchung, has established a temporary hostel for students preparing for the High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC) exams. With academic guidance and facilities lacking in many rural areas, the hostel aims to build an environment conducive to study, discipline, and personal development.
The initiative, led by the school’s administration and supported by local stakeholders, is designed to improve students’ academic performance through structured coaching, a dedicated study environment, and life skill training. Notably, the school intends to help students enhance focus and resilience while preparing for the examination.
GHS Mangmetong, which was established in 1958 and upgraded in 2010, currently has an enrolment of 64 students, 39 of whom are girls. The temporary hostel, funded partly by donations from local leaders, seeks to bridge the educational gap for rural students who lack consistent academic guidance.
Project Objectives and Community Involvement
The hostel aims to achieve three key objectives.
First, it provides a safe and focused environment for academic growth. By housing students in a space dedicated solely to learning, the hostel ensures a distraction-free atmosphere that promotes concentration and study.
Second, it enhances educational focus by offering additional coaching support. This guidance helps students excel in their studies, providing them with the resources and mentorship needed to succeed.
Finally, the hostel instills valuable life skills and promotes the dignity of labor. Through participation in daily tasks, students learn teamwork, self-reliance, and a strong sense of community.
The local community has shown overwhelming support for the project, demonstrated in meetings held with the School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), teaching staff, and parents of HSLC students. A notable donation of Rs 50,000 from MLA and Advisor Imkong L Imchen supported the hostel’s kitchen and dining facilities, and parents agreed to contribute Rs 4,000 per student to cover operational costs.
The hostel, which opened on October 4, 2024, includes a structured daily schedule promoting discipline and time management. In addition to academic support, students engage in responsibilities such as cooking and cleaning, teaching them independence and reinforcing the dignity of labor.
Staff members, including Fourth Grade staff and a carpentry instructor, volunteered for the construction efforts, while Lanutemsu oversees the mess, and Moasungla serves as the warden. The program also includes a mix of academic and recreational activities to provide a well-rounded experience for the students.
The establishment of this temporary hostel has already shown benefits, with improved focus, peer learning, and better test scores among students. The initiative not only provides a supportive environment for students to study but also cultivates a sense of community and personal responsibility. If successful, the project may become a permanent feature, offering an enduring solution to address declining enrolment and educational challenges faced by rural students in Mokokchung.
By empowering students academically and socially, Govt. High School Mangmetong hopes to contribute to the long-term development of rural education in the region, building a stronger, more resilient generation of learners.