Kohima, 19 October (MTNews): The All Nagaland Private Schools Association (ANPSA) has voiced its reservations regarding unscheduled holidays and the proposal to introduce weekly holidays on Saturdays.
The question of unscheduled holidays was deliberated at length during the 41st Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) of the All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association (ANPSA) held on 17 and 18 October 2023 at the Oriental Grand Conference Hall in Kohima. The meeting also deliberated upon several issues facing private schools.
The meeting observed that unscheduled holidays announced by the Government causes major disruptions to the school routine and disturbs the rhythm of teaching and learning. The ANPSA members also felt that the concept of holidays every Saturday would not be a welcome move.
“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 get involved in. All these activities eat into the time reserved for teaching and learning the syllabus and beyond,” ANPSA said in a press release.
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 focusing on mental health awareness, counseling services and support systems within the home and educational institutions was also deliberated. The meeting also addressed the importance of parents and educators to be empowered with knowledge and resources to address emotional and psychological challenges among students.
The 41st Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) had a second session where a Principals’ Conclave was held. Two resource persons from PHQ Kohima, deputed by Rupin Sharma, DGP Nagaland, took the stage to speak at length about Substance Abuse and the Pitfalls of Social Media. KPA Illyas IPS, DIGP (CID) PHQ spoke on the topic ‘Substance Abuse,’ while Michael Yhome, NPS, Additional SP, Cyber Security, spoke on ‘Pitfalls of Social Media.’
Kaini Kikon invoked God’s blessings in the 2nd session. Bliss Achumi, General Secretary of ANPSA Zunheboto Unit, gave a beautiful guitar recital. Pheluopfelie, Senior Advisor ANPSA Central, pronounced the Vote of Thanks, while Rev. M. Savi, Managing Director of Baptist High, Kohima, closed the program with a prayer.
The meeting was attended by more than 100 Heads of Schools from all over Nagaland. Philip, Principal of Holy Cross, invoked God’s blessings and remembered the obituaries that were presented. Bithungo Kikon, Ex Officio Advisor of ANPSA Central, officiated over the program in the 1st session. Sochumbeni from Wokha Unit enthralled the audience with the song, ‘Give me one moment in time.’
The welcome address was given by Nini Sekhose, President of ANPSA Central. Leneno Y Disong and PJ Nathan presented the Treasurer’s and Secretary’s reports, respectively. The meeting deliberated upon several issues facing private schools, including the need for Quality Education and a School Safety Act to safeguard the dignity and safety of the Teaching Community. It also emphasized a holistic approach to school education focusing on mental health awareness, counseling services, and support systems within the home and educational institutions. The importance of empowering parents and educators with knowledge and resources to address emotional and psychological challenges among students was discussed.
On October 17, 2023, the All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association, Central held its 1st Inter School Quartet Singing Competition under the theme: ‘Let Your Harmony Flow’ at RCEMPA Jotsoma. Ten schools from ten district units, who were winners of the preliminary rounds from the districts, participated in the competition. Theja Meru, Chairman of TaFMA, was the special guest.
Hommiza Mimi Raman, Associate Director of Mt. Hermon School, compered the program.
Students from Longleng Unit, Phek Unit, Mokokchung Unit, Zunheboto Unit, Kohima Unit, Dimapur Unit, Wokha Unit, Peren Unit, Tsemenyu Unit, and Chümoukedima Unit participated in the competition.
The judges for the competition were Mele Pucho, Keziah Semy, and Hentick Konyak.
Besides the competing units, different schools from Kohima and Dimapur presented special numbers. ‘Naughty Matilda’ from Pilgrim Hr Sec School, Dimapur, ‘Everyday is a New Day’ from Baptist High Kohima, choreography from Little Star Hr Sec School, Dimapur, a musical piece from Dzüvürü Public School Kohima, ‘Jenny on the Block’ by The Vineyard, Kohima, ‘In My Little Corner – Cinderella’ by Rincho Academy, Sovima, Bollywood Remix by Hebron Hr Sec School, Sovima, and ‘Just a Little Talk with Jesus’ from Northfield Khikha, Kohima, and ’90’s Vibes’ by St Andrews School, Jotsoma.
The winners of the competition were as follows: 1st Prize – Kohima Unit with the song ‘Killing Me Softly,’ 2nd Prize – Wokha Unit, Isaiah Ability School with the song “Sweetest Song,’ and the 3rd prize went to Peren Unit with the song ‘Bohemian Rhapsody.’ The first prize was Rs. 25,000, the second prize Rs. 20,000, and the third prize Rs 15,000.
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 were sponsored by TaFMA, Kohima.
The program concluded with a vote of thanks from Abalie Medoze, Joint Secretary of ANPSA Central, while Pheluopfelie, Senior Advisor, pronounced the benediction.