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Students of GMS Phesama partake in the centenary feast on November 2. Food was served in banana leave plates. (Morung Photo)
Morung Express news
Kohima | November 2
Government Middle School (GMS) Phesama, the first government school in the Southern Angami region has attained a century. Marking the centenary and revisiting the genesis, a grand celebration was held at Phesama village, Kohima district on November 2.
Youth Resources & Sports, Advisor, Zale Neikha while conveying praise for the ingenuity and wisdom of the elders remarked on how 100 years ago our elders had felt the need to incept education to the community. He was delivering the solidarity note and releasing the souvenir.
“In this land, has also produced strong leaders of Naga independence movement in the past, he said and mentioned Deputy Chaplee Lt. Zhavio Mejura, Major General Zanio Chuse, Brigadier Neidilie Kuotsu, Brigadier Vikedo Khale. Education is a reason why many leaders of such stature could be produced in the early period of the movement and these sacrifices made by them are the fruit of the awaited Naga political solution, the advisor commented in the backdrop of the Naga Political talks at a helm of conclusion.
“We all must be aware and know that today the Government of India is compassionate upon us. We have to thank our PM Narendra Modi, interlocutor and Governor RN Ravi, the NSCN (IM), 7NNPGs, Tribal hohos, student bodies and church leaders for the fervent efforts put towards an awaited solution,” he said and called for collective cooperation and fulfill the aspirations of those elder.
He said the village also bears blessings in the form of many avenues and amenities naming its proximity to town, good land and water resources as advantageous means of business for economic upliftment. Towards this, he called the village to utilize these blessings wisely.
He then challenged the students community, teachers and parents to be prepared for the very competitive times as today and also come of age to differentiate ones capabilities and talents and pursue it best to refine it in a early stage.
Earlier, greetings were conveyed by Rev Fr Arul Susai SJ, Principal, St Paul School Phesama. He urged schools and colleges to focus on human formation for life rather than acquisition of knowledge. “We emphasis more on IQ (Intelligent Quotient), he pointed. We are not allowing our generation to think critically and to make changes for better life and development. To think correctly, reflect, and ask questions and to have scientific mind it is to have more of self discipline and to move towards that goal, the Fr. added. He then called all parents, staffs and community together to carry forward education to bring out the best in children by honing their skills.
Seyievilie Peter Zashümo, Convenor Organizing Committee while chairing the programme also gave a brief history of the School inception.
On behalf of Phesama Village Council (PVC) School Management Committee (SMC) 100 women under the banner of Phesamiapfü Mechü Krotho presented folk song as theme song and blessing for the milestone. GMS students and teachers and Phesama college students presented special songs.
The closing note was delivered by Vimedo Chuse, Chairman.
The Genesis of GMS Phesama
The year 1919 bears significant marks in history to the country and the larger world with important political landmarks and unforgettable upheavals. In Phesama Village, the first seed of education was sown in a small garden. During that time, under the British rule, a government appointed teacher Lt Kruzolie Nakhro from Jotsoma village had some to serve as the first and lone teacher. Later on the garden was fenced for the purpose and he continued to serve as the lone teacher there upto the year 1935, reads a report from the organizing committee. The report also mentioned that the Kruzolies educational qualification was Class V passed.
The school was looked after by a single teacher till 1971, enabling to keep the continuity of the institute in an informal form by teaching the village children. It also stated that from 1944 1945 the school was compelled to close down with the incursion of the World War II. Thereafter in 1948, the school was shifted to Present Village council Hall Ground. Herein, the village community realizing the importance of education for the future development of the village, voluntarily contributed timber, CGI sheet and other exigencies and constructed a very humble school.
It is noteworthy to mention that the village community has played a collective role in nurturing and bringing the school to its present stature. A vivid instance is the selection of a permanent site for allotting space to provide facilities like playground. In the past, the village also made it mandatory for each khel to send a certain number of students to receive formal education.
Undated, it was also stated that the VDB also contributed two years fund for infrastructural development. Gradually with the increase in enrollment of students, the school was upgraded to Government Primary School (up to class 4) in the year 1981. This necessitated for additional staff where some private teachers were appointed, the honorarium of whom were borne by the community itself. Besides scholastic activity, co-scholastic activities such as gardening, knitting, tree plantation, sanitation, paddy field work, morning assembly are being conducted. With the increase in the enrollment of students upgradation of school to Government Middle School was made in the year 2011.
