Bridging the education gap

KSU initiates free coaching class project for students during pandemic

Akangjungla
Dimapur | March 31

The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly established a greater appreciation for importance of schools and the valuable role educators play in the nurturing of children. As parents and young people struggle with online learning from home, the gratitude for teachers and their proficiency has risen. The global pandemic has thus unlocked a culture with a strong sense of community participation and responsibility in the Naga society in the field of education. 

Creating space for learning
Realizing the disruption of education caused by the closure of educational institutions during the pandemic, a group of youths in Khensa village under Mokokchung district took up the task of bridging gaps for students residing in the village.

Under the aegis of Khensa Shisashir Telongjem (Khensa Students’ Union/KSU), the youths initiated a free coaching class project since November 2020 for students of class 10 and 12. 

“It is not the first time we are initiating this kind of coaching classes. It started few years back but it was on hold for some time. However, with the pandemic bringing the normal functioning of schools to a standstill, we felt the need to create the space for students to continue learning without any compromise. We started the special coaching from November 2020 for class 10 and 12 students who will be appearing their HSLC and HSSLC board examination. We took a break during the Christmas season,” the KSU office bearers informed The Morung Express.

A total of 17 students (15 from class 10 and two from class 12) were enrolled for the classes. Noticing the needs of the students, KSU conducted the classes the entire month of March 2021. 

Enriched learning experience
A team of seven teachers, all from Khensa village covered every subject including class 12 students in the Science and Arts streams.

“Since it is a voluntary project, there was no monetary fee involved. The positive response from the teachers to give their time and service without any charges was very encouraging. All seven of them are currently teaching in different institutions which was an added strength to the project,” Rongsenmenla, KSU General Secretary stated.

“Though the class is over for now, we have made arrangements for the students to contact the teachers in case of any need,” she added. 

Sharing about the project, KSU President, Temsuakum observed that online mode of learning is not the best suited for a place like Nagaland and especially in villages where infrastructure is still a great challenge. 

“As we proceeded with the coaching, we have seen the students becoming more self-confident and showing improvement in their performance,” Temsuakum said while adding that the coaching classes provided a planned way of studying, with quick tips and smart study advice. “It has enriched their learning experience,” he shared. 

Worthwhile endeavor 
Commending the KSU for initiating the project, one of the teachers, Imsujungla Jamir said, “The self-sacrificing efforts and commitment of the Union to provide such a brilliant platform for the students to excel in their studies will definitely be a worthwhile endeavor.”

“It was pure joy to see the passion, sincerity and excitement of the students to learn. Though COVID-19 shutdowns unfortunately hampered their regular classes, they were determined not to let this hinder their huge dreams and plans,” said Jamir who teaches in GMS Salangtem, Mokokchung.

“KSU has created a safe and stable environment conducive to learning for HSLC and HSSLC appearing students during these pandemic times by initiating the coaching classes. Students and teachers were provided with sufficient learning materials. This coaching institute is equipped with proper infrastructure which makes learning and teaching comfortable for both the teachers and the students,” said Imtilemba, a teacher in Whetstone High School, Yimyu. 

“I was very impressed by the hard work, meticulous planning and team work of the Union in providing such learning opportunity for the students free of cost during these unprecedented times,” he added. 

‘Thank you’
“I got to learn many new things which I did not learn in online classes. All my doubts were cleared,” said Aolila, a class 10 student expressing her gratitude. 

“It was awesome and fantastic,” another student, Moaonen shared. “Throughout the coaching classes, the KSU team has been saying thank you to us every day but we are the ones who should say ‘thank you’ to the Union for organizing such a good work,” Moaonen conveyed with the request to “continue the coaching classes throughout the year.”