Resilient voice of ‘The Village School Master’

Morung Express News
Kohima | September 5

Akayi Wokhami, a Graduate Teacher (Science) and Head Teacher at Longtsunger Government Middle School, Kiphire has been teaching in the same school for eight years, a feat and duty only dedicated teachers are willing to attain.

Under the Instagram account ‘The Village School Master’, Wokhami also documents the simple and quiet yet deprived lives in the back of beyond of Nagaland.

“A day in my life as a teacher in Longtsunger village is as hectic as any other teacher’s life under this profession. It requires a whole lot of patience and dedication. However, going to school and being with my students gives me so much joy and fulfillment in my day to day life,” says Wokhami.

Teaching in Nagaland’s remote rural area, Wokhami mentions that one challenge is the deprived primary upbringing of the learners which are much weaker compared to students in urban areas. This becomes a hindrance in teaching learning process in the upper classes.

“Language barrier is one factor where communication between teachers and students is affected and thus slows the process of teaching and learning,” says Wokhami.

However he reminds of the humbling experience of working in a remote place. “Life is simple here as compared to the life in an urban setting. Here I find inner peace and contentment which many people long for.”

Although, teaching was not his initial area of interest, Akhayi developed a passion for teaching while pursuing his masters, when he was asked to serve as a Sunday school teacher.

“All my teachers have been a great source of inspiration in my life. But the ones that I deeply look upto are my parents because they are my life's greatest inspiration. Their constant support, prayers and guidance has shaped me in becoming who I am today,” says Wokhami.

Quality educational accessibility and basic infrastructures are wanting in most of the remote lands of the State, a crucial factor that fails dedicated teachers in Nagaland. However, Wokhami is of the conviction, “Sometimes I do ask myself why and how I ended up here, then this resilient voice tells me about the wonderful lives that these kids deserve.”