Tuensang, August 24 (MExN): The first-ever Pallikkutam National Award for Innovation in Education, instituted by Rajagiri Media, has been won by St Christopher School, Chessore village under Tuensang district.
The silver award was won by DAV Public School, Haryana, and the bronze award by CMI Christ School, Iritty in Kerala.
The awards, carrying a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000, Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively, are meant to honour education leadership by way of frugal and disruptive innovations that help them cross the COVID-19 induced academic lockdown.
The awards are sponsored under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Federal Bank.
According to a press release from the Diocese of Kohima, St Christopher School is a middle school (up to class 8) started by the Kohima Diocese in 2015.
Following the outbreak of the global pandemic and the imposition of lockdowns, the school management under leadership of Rev Fr Loyola Anthony ensured smooth running of classes despite the limited infrastructure and resource constraints in a rural area.
The school has done a great job of balancing online and offline activities, relying mostly on WhatsApp.
Being located in a remote area, the accessibility of technological interventions such as virtual classes, online tests, use of smartphones and televisions were not feasible, except for few students, the release stated.
However, the school came up with a plan that relied more on direct intervention, by allowing the children to do more home-based activities that allowed them to explore their own creativity.
Various awareness campaigns in the form of skits, placards, posters and placards, were organized to prepare students to combat COVID-19, through skit, placards, poster and booklets. For those who could afford smartphones, the school uploaded notes, assignments and list of competitions and conducted online tests through WhasApp.
For those who had no access to smart phones, the school office was open every day for a few hours observing standard operating protocols of the government, so that students could collect notes, assignments and project works and gather information on various programs initiated by the school, the release informed.
“The result was 100% participation. Students found the sessions enjoyable and even took part in talent and literary competitions,” it added.
