Students with officials on their arrival at Dimapur Airport on June 22. (DIPR Photo)
Chümoukedima, June 23 (MExN): The two students, Shethilu Medeo from Ruzhukhire Government Higher Secondary School and Iris Zomawii Lushai from Chümoukedima Government Higher Secondary School, and Inspire Manak Award student- Faragdul Islam from JNV and Zatan from Holy Cross High School, arrived Nagaland on June 22 after attending the 7-day programme of Sakura Science High School programme (SSHP) in Japan under the aegis of Samagra Shiksha Nagaland.
The students were selected based on the criteria set by Ministry of Education (MoE) GoI and also by Samagra Shiksha, NBSE Nagaland shortlisted meritorious students, stated a DIPR report.
On their arrival, the students interacted with the media, where they expressed their experience and thanked the Department of School Education, especially the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan for giving them the opportunity to be a part of SSHP. The students informed that during the 7-day programme, 5 days was active participation and 2 days for exploring the country.
Each student shared that their experiences in Japan were exciting, beautiful and fun. They learned about Japanese culture, the innovative use of science and technology, and admired the cleanliness and politeness of the people. The way technology was used felt completely different from India, and the cleanliness made them feel as if they were in a futuristic world. During their interaction with students from Omika High School, the Nagaland students learned about the Japanese education system.
Principal Karen Yepthomi of GHSS, Chümoukedima, expressed gratitude to Department of School Education, particularly Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. She shared that this marks the second batch of students traveling to Japan. Yepthomi emphasised that while many such projects may exist, they often fail to reach students unless bureaucrats, senior officers, and advisors take the initiative to implement these policies. She extended special thanks to Commissioner Keno and former Mission Director of Samagra, Temsunaro Aier, whose action ensured the students' passports were processed within a month, despite none of the children having passports initially.
Nodal officer, SCERT for INSPIRE MANAK AWARDS, Daniel Thong, said that this is first of its kind that from the government schools, the children could go to Japan through Sakura Exchange programme and for the other two boys- Faragdul Islam from JNV and Zatan from Holy Cross High School, have been to the competition at national level.
The selection was merit-based, with one student winning first place in a project competition in New Delhi and the other chosen to represent at the national level with innovative ideas. Both boys excelled in their presentations, earning them a spot in the Sakura Exchange Program. He also praised the two girls for ably representing the state, noting that this experience would stay with them for years to come.
Encouraging students across Nagaland, especially in rural areas to pursue such programs, he acknowledged the challenges government schools face in competing with private institutions. However, special initiatives like this provide a crucial pathway for deserving students to access global opportunities.
