(Top from left) Khrieleno Terhüja with her husband Rev. Ruungukho Terhüja. Photo from 1967 showing the school’s first office and a thatch structure housing the classrooms; NST colony is seen in the background. Another photo from 1967 pictured students with their classrooms in the background. The present CHSS building.
As Christian Higher Sec School marks 50th anniv today, The Morung Express catches up with its pioneering 84-year old principal
Morung Express News
Dimapur | November 2
Nestled amidst the hustle and bustle of town rests a seat of learning that has grown over the decades rather unassumingly like a fly on the wall, side-by-side with Dimapur. Now, 50 years of age, Christian Higher Secondary School (CHSS) is all set to mark the 50th year milestone on November 3, 2017.
With its initial roots in the 1950s, CHSS began its journey as Christian English School back in 1967 under the tutelage of the Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC). Since then, the school has seen 5 people taking the reins as headmaster/principal.
To students, who happened to be part of the school in its formative years up till the mid-90s, the name Khrieleno Terhüja would be very familiar. Terhüja served as the headmistress/principal from 1967 till December 1996. She retired after the school was upgraded to 10+2, a vision and a wish she recorded in her entry in the school’s Silver Jubilee journal.
Khrieleno Terhüja with her husband Rev. Ruungukho Terhüja.[/caption] In the lead up to the Golden Jubilee, The Morung Express interacted with the now 84 years old Terhüja, who, if one might add, has literally witnessed the school’s transformation from a small thatch structure to the RCC building that could today seat thousands.
While many would be of the impression that she was the school’s first head, she said that it was her husband Rev. Ruungukho Terhüja, who was its first headmaster from January-June 1967.
She was invited to take her husband’s place after he suddenly had to leave the post for higher studies. She said that when the invitation came, she left her job as a lecturer at Eastern Theological College (ETC), Jorhat. She recalled that at the time, there was Railway school, Government ME school (presently GHSS) and New Market was a low-lying marshy wasteland.
In 1966, she had obtained her Bachelor of Divinity degree from the Senate of Serampore becoming the first woman in India to do so. She had also taught at the Baptist English School, Kohima during 1960-63 and 1965.
Terhüja passed high school in 1951 from Government High School, Kohima and on to college in Shillong and later joining Eastern Theological College, Jorhat where she completed her B.Th in 1960. Her B.Th pursuit, however, was delayed after violence erupted in the then Naga Hills District during which she had to take refuge in the jungles.
By virtue of being one among a few educated Nagas of the time, she recalled that other job and more lucrative offers came her way. Looking back on the 30 years steering the school, she said that it was a fulfilling experience, while adding that her passion to be a teacher and “be there for the people through education” was stronger than the other offers.
Away from her life as a teacher she had also served several organisations in various capacities. She was president of the NBCC, vice president of the Bible Society of India, working committee member and secretary of the NMA, secretary of the Dimapur Angami Baptist Church Council and many others.
Asked what it was that drove her all through the 30 years, the simple, God-fearing Terhüja said that the basic idea was to provide affordable education. “My calling was to teach ABCD and 123 to children. To make education available to all,” she said Benedict Victor Gonsalves, a former teacher of the school recalled Terhüja as a pioneering personality. “This I can say about her, she was a great administrator. It was under her pioneering leadership the school was able to progress those formative years.” Gonsalves, who served at a time (1978-82) when the school was gradually making its presence felt, wished that the school would go on to get bigger and better.
Jose VA, the school’s supervisor described working under Terhüja and the others that followed her as “inspiring and satisfying.” “I am happy the Almighty allowed me to be a part of the school’s progress for the last 26 years. All the principals with whom I have worked with had something to teach me and I hope all my students have learnt something from me too.”
While stating that she would want the school (CHSS) to continue doing what it been doing without compromising on quality education, the pioneering educator stressed on the all-round development of the student with focus on spiritual learning.
Continuing the legacy “of this institution with an illustrious past” was how Moatemsu Walling, the present principal described his job. “I acknowledge and salute my predecessors, teachers and staffs and the NBCC who have pioneered in envisioning this institution. Their tireless effort and sacrifice has brought this institution thus far.” Stating career building alone is not enough, Walling said that the broader aim is “to nurture them (students) to grow with Christian values, build character and discipline.”
