School in Chessore wins award for innovation in education

Dimapur, Aug. 16 (EMN): St. Christopher School at Chessore in Tuensang district won the golden award from the Pallikkutam National Awards for Innovation in Education 2020. St. Christopher School is an upper primary (Class 8) Catholic school established by the Diocese of Kohima on March 21, 2015, at Chessore village.

In a report, Rev. Fr. Loyola Antony stated that more than 56 schools from 16 states of the country participated in the contest. The objective of the award was to recognise educational institutions engaged in bringing about disruptive innovations in education, especially during the Covid-19 lockdown.

‘As teaching and learning have taken a new norm following the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown, St. Christopher School, Chessore, was quick enough to adapt to the new way of teaching and learning through various innovations,’ the report stated. It added that the teachers have realised that learning is not just confined to the four walls of classroom alone but can take place even at home with proper guidance.

Besides providing class notes (WhatsApp and photo copy), conducting tests (online and offline), giving assignments, and visiting houses of students to check the notes and to follow-up the studies, it stated that the teachers provided various competitions (literary and talent). The main idea was to keep the students occupied and engaged and to bring out the innate qualities and talents of the children, it added.

Literary competitions (written) included Mathematical puzzle, mental aptitude, general knowledge, drawing and colouring, handwriting (English and Yimchunger), essay writing, folk story writing (English and Yimchunger), moral story writing (English and Yimchunger), composing poem (English and Yimchunger), translation (English to Yimchunger and Yimchunger to English).

It stated that the best items would be chosen for the school magazine, which the school has planned to print out when the lockdown period ends.

Talent competitions (video) included recitation of folk stories (English and Yimchunger), recitation of moral stories, hair styling, dance (English and traditional), traditional attire, poetry in action, action song, singing (English and traditional), unique talent show, speech (English and Yimchunger).

The report also stated that the best video performed by students would be uploaded in the school YouTube page adding that prizes would be given after the school reopened.

Besides those activities, the teachers have assigned activities to students such as arts and crafts, treasure hunt, weekly letter writing, helping with daily chores at home and sharing the experience, reading books and writing the summary, pronunciation tips and videos, which are beyond the syllabus (physical and mental) to make the learning of children more interesting and enriching.