Reviving Don Bosco High School, Lakhuti

Lakhuti village: It was a day to remember as students of a Catholic school in a Lotha village came with their parents to help save their school, running on deficit, from closing down its classrooms forever.

 

 

On March 29, Don Bosco High School, Lakhuti village organized a social work cum student-parents get-together.

Parents of the students from Lakhuti and adjacent villages arrived to the school early morning carrying daos (machetes), spades and bags of yam, tapioca and ginger seeds. Together with the students and faculty of the school, the parents tilled the vacant plots in the school compound and planted the vegetable seeds.

Later, after the social work, the school principal, Rev. Fr. George Anthony, at the get-together function said the social work would go a long way in raising contingency fund to run the school. According to Fr. Anthony, around 900 kgs each of ginger and yam seeds were sowed while tapioca plantation covered 3 acres. The proceeds from sale of the vegetables after harvest would supplement the income of the school, he added.

With enrolment of students decreasing each passing year due to sparse population in the area and migration of students to urban schools, Fr. Anthony said the school management was finding it extremely difficult to manage the school.

The principal also informed that the school is not in a position to pressurize the parents, mostly farmers, by increasing school fees.  

Borrowing one of MK Gandhi’s quotes, “A small group of determined spirits, fired by an unquenchable faith in their mission can alter the course of history,” Fr. George in an emotional tone added, “Coming together is beginning, staying together is progress and working together is success.”

Thanking the parents, patrons and well wishers for their concerted efforts and concern, the principal also welcomed alumni of the school and said the occasion was homecoming for many officers as they have come back to the portals of their alma mater.

Chairman, Nagaland State Mineral Development Corporation (NSMDC), Thomas Lotha, MLA, who graced the get-together as chief host, thanked Don Bosco Schools for their immense contribution to the Nagas, especially in rural areas, both in education sector and spiritual enrichment. “Despite the amount of hardships you face daily with poor medical facilities and poor road connectivity, your dedication and sincerity in nurturing the students can never be forgotten,” Thomas said.

On the occasion, Thomas, who is also a native of Lakhuti village recalled the contributions of the pioneers of the school who have sown the seeds of education in the village. Encouraging the school management to continue with their yeoman service, he added “we will walk together and overcome the hardships.” Dr. John Murry, an alumnus of the school, also pledged his service to the school.

Representatives from the parents’ side also appealed the school management to continue to run the school as their wards have no other place to go. The parents also assured to contribute in whatever manner to keep the school alive. Later, all the parents, students and faculty members of the school partook in a “common meal” to celebrate the occasion.  

Established in 1970, Don Bosco High School, Lakhuti, is the lone private school in the village with students coming from neighbouring villages like Aitepyong, Akuk, New Akuk, Mekokla, Changkhayan, Sunglup, Yonchucho and Lotsu, for education. Many government officers of Lakhuti village had once studied in this school.