Nagaland
A class IX student attends English class through TV as per schedule given by the Department of School Education, Nagaland in Dimapur on May 1. (Morung Photo)
Vishü Rita Krocha
Kohima | May 1
Even as pre-recorded video lessons for students of classes 8, 9, 10 and 12 across the state were first telecasted today via Doordarshan amid COVID-19, teachers who were selected to present lessons on their respective subjects were in for a whole new experience of teaching.
A total of 25 subject teachers both from government and private schools have been selected for the video lessons on Mathematics, Science, English and Social Science for Classes 8-10 and History, English, Education, Economics, Political Science and Sociology for Class-12 Arts Stream and Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology for Class-12 Science Stream respectively.
Speaking to The Morung Express, Nellayappan, Assistant Director of School Education informed that some teachers “who are best in their subjects” were selected for the purpose.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would benefit students across the state and more so for those in rural areas where there are shortages of some subject teachers.
“We are also taking this as a starting point and planning to take it forward even after schools resume by tying up with Doordarshan Kohima and All India Radio,” he added.
For children in rural areas without accessibility to the facility, the district administration has been requested to facilitate such access.
A new frontier: Good opportunity
“This is really exciting for me,” expressed V Ganesan, a Mathematics Teacher from Fernwood School, who was the first to go recording.
He exuded hope that this will really help the children during this period of lockdown. Further motivated by positive feedbacks from students after Friday’s telecast, he informed: “Some parents also called to say they are also learning and I am happy that the department has undertaken this great initiative.”
For Viwhekhonuo Vielie, an English Teacher of Mount Sinai Higher Secondary School, Kohima, more lessons could be covered in 35 minutes, which, she reasoned was because there was no interaction with students in between as well as no disturbances.
While stating concern that “no matter how hard we are trying, if the students are not concentrating, that’s a worry,” she however maintained that “as long as the classes do not resume, we should make the best of us it and take it seriously.”
Atseinuo Sekhose, who earlier taught at Fernwood School, Kohima and is currently pursuing MEd strongly felt that this is a good opportunity both for students and teachers while terming the experience as “very interesting.”
“If we are to plan this in a different time, it would not have taken place but on the positive side, thanks to the pandemic, this is happening and will go a long way,” she opined.
Way forward
Initially it was a little uncomfortable as this is all very new, but it has gotten much better with time, disclosed Benthungo Shitio, a Science Teacher of G Rio Higher Secondary School, who did his fourth recording on Friday.
In terms of the lessons, he also noted the lack of interaction with students. “I really want all the students to benefit from these video lessons,” he asserted and suggested on a way to get ‘feedbacks’ so students can also clear their doubts, if any.
Meanwhile, stating that this is new to him, Temsuakum, who teaches Sociology at Sazolie College, however affirmed that being part of this initiative is like giving something back to the society.
“At times like these, teachers should be the volunteers because they are the ones who mould the students, and we should be the role models,” he put across.
Mention may be made here that the pre-recorded lessons will be telecasted on Doodarshan Kohima everyday from 3:00-6:00 pm, and pre-recorded audio lessons will be broadcasted on All India Radio from 10:00-11:55 am and 6:00-7:10 pm.
