GMS KHENSA

COMMUNITY AS IMPETUS FOR TRANSFORMATION

Situated roughly six kilometres east of the district headquarters Mokokchung, GMS Khensa in
Khensa village has been at the forefront of community engagement for school transformation.
The village places great significance on education, and this is evidenced by the existence of an
‘Education Trust Committee’ that serves to uplift government schools in the village, in collaboration with the School Management Committee (SMC). Their combined efforts have been making a difference by offering a nurturing environment and enhancing learning opportunities for children.

As a school with three physically separate blocks, GMS Khensa occasionally faced resource
limitations despite financial and material contributions from the community. By qualifying for
NECTAR’s Performance Incentive Grants (PIG), the school could intensify community involvement
toward targeted objectives.

Creating an Appealing and Safe Learning Space

Since 2023, GMS Khensa has efficiently utilised all four instalments of PIG to significantly
improve the learning environment and teaching-learning experience for students and teachers
alike. As mandated by the grant, SMC meetings and Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTM) are held
regularly. This enabled the school, parents, and the wider community to collectively carry out
various initiatives to develop their school.

In an effort to enhance safety and convenience, teachers, Multitask staff, students, and the
community joined together to construct the steps leading to the school, pave them with tiles,
and mount a steel gate. Owing to a fixed budget, teachers contributed funds for tiling the steps.
They provided refreshments, and the female teachers donated flowers, plants, manure, and pots
to be placed along the path to the gate, which enhanced the aesthetic appeal of the school.

Reflecting on the robust community participation, Dr. Imlirenla Walling, SMC Chairperson, stated:

The school restored and painted the roof, replaced the worn-out ceilings of the verandah and the secure room, repainted the walls, plastered the science lab floor, and purchased almirahs for organised storage of lab instruments and teaching materials. With growing
community support, the school introduced lasting improvements in the form of a rain water harvesting system, electrification works, a water purifier to ensure clean drinking water, and fire extinguishers for enhancing safety.

Broadening Learning Experience and Avenues

Amidst the struggle to build a science laboratory, GMS Khensa has been able to convert a storeroom for the same with funds from the Performance Incentive Grants. The goal of this initiative is to increase the visibility of science education in the school and to improve the learning experience of students so that the ambitions of students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, are raised.

With the acquisition of two microscopes and laboratory consumables, practical learning is
being propelled forward. The science teachers meticulously plan the schedule to ensure that each class makes use of the laboratory regularly. Students learn to integrate science and math lessons through experiments, enabling them to grasp how scientific concepts can be applied in real-world scenarios. Students also created models and posters and held a science exhibition to which parents were invited.

To expand learning experience, students from classes 5 to 8 were taken on an exposure trip to Fazl Ali College, Mokokchung; this enabled them to gain further insights into higher education. In order to promote skill-based education, two sewing machines were procured which aids in imparting life skills like sewing and tailoring.

Extracurricular activities received a boost with support from the Performance Incentive Grants; the school purchased sports equipment, conducted Sports Week, and also organised a day out at the local futsal turf. Further, to offer a practical experience of commerce and financial management, teachers pooled money and provided 100 rupees to each student to purchase goods at Vishal Mart.

Classrooms were also revitalised as chalkboards were replaced with dual surface boards featuring
white and green surfaces, enhancing versatility and neatness. Furthermore, the old desks and
benches were replaced with new ones to make the classrooms comfortable and functional. These
initiatives created a more conducive environment for learning and led to a deeper sense of pride,
ownership, and responsibility among the students, teachers, and community.

Community as a pillar of strength

Driven by the aim of continuous improvement, the SMC of GMS Khensa has consistently nurtured
the school. Enrolment has increased over the years from 25 students in 2023 to 46 students in the current academic session. This was achieved through enrolment drives that welcomed children with warmth and optimism. The community has in turn felt empowered through the capacity building initiatives of NECTAR’s PIG. This sentiment is substantiated by Tsungmenla, a prominent community member.

The Head Teacher, I. Longre Ao also noted that beyond infrastructure, the NECTAR project
“reignited community involvement” and a strong sense of shared responsibility. He is optimistic
about the school’s prospects and further expressed:

“With better facilities and renewed support, both teaching and learning have become more
engaging and effective. The collective effort of parents, community members, and staff has
brought a sense of pride and ownership that continues to drive us forward.”