A student of the ‘Sochum’ weaving a traditional shawl with wooden weaving tools at a competition on art and craft. (Photo/ Merina Chishi)
‘Govt adopts traditional school of learning’
Y Merina Chishi
Tuensang | June 27
The Morung or the traditional youth dormitory, now relegated for decades, is functional in some areas in its original form. The ‘Sochum’, as it is known in Chang dialect was revived in 20 Chang villages in Tuensang district in 2005. Through the initiatives of the Eleutheros Christian Society (ECS), an NGO based in Tuensang, the Sochum provides education which is unconventional and involve the entire community in its functioning. With the success of learner-friendly tools and mechanism as well as imparting traditional knowledge in the Sochum, ECS has gone a step further to involve the government. Consequently, the government of Nagaland has adopted 6 Sochums and the State Mission Authority (SMA) along with ECS and will work together to implement the Sochum projects for a period of ten months on trial.
Sponsored by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, the 6 Sochums have been adopted to enhance the quality of education in the elementary level in the age-group between 6 and 14 through the Sochum. 287 children from class 2 to 5 studying in government primary schools in the selected villages will undergo intensive and relevant education. The idea of the government is to impart quality education and provide proper remedial support to children in the Sochums. The Krishi Vigyan Kendra will impart skills on farming including husbandry, crop and fruit plantation. The students will be taken care of by a warden and government teachers will also live in the dormitories.
According to the agreement signed by the implementing body, ECS, and the government, the SMA and DMA will periodically assess and monitor the growth of the Sochum. Further, based on observation and analysis, ECS can extend the traditional institution to other parts of the state as per the agreement. The Director of ECS, Dr. Chingmak Kejong said that there is a major gap in the education system. He felt that new methods to teaching has to go through the Sochums in order to reduce dropout cases of students from school, which is the basic design behind the revival of the Sochum.
Another interesting aspect of the Sochum which involves the village community is that, a Sochum Management Committee (SMC) has been constituted to monitor its functioning. Accordingly, a proposal to divert the midday meals to the Sochums instead of the schools is in place. Since all the children live in the Sochums, the idea seems feasible. Other related provisions under midday meals will also be credited to the Village Education Committee.
To make the Sochums more incorporative, monthly parent-teacher association will take place. The SMC will also monitor tutorials, home assignments, skill education of the students and weekly assessment of students will follow. Dr. Chingmak said that idea to make the Sochum an extension of the formal school will ensure that the Sochum project goes well.
