The Ripple Effect: Igniting Minds through School Leadership
A stone dropped into still water creates beautiful ripples that spread across the body of water. Similarly, we have stakeholders in our education system who diligently cast “stones” in the form of activities and initiatives that go on to have a wider effect in schools. There are school leaders who continuously improve their schools creating beautiful ripples in their students’ lives. While the impact may not be easily quantifiable, the spark and motivation, as well as the discipline and confidence that they ignite in their students are palpable.
The School Leadership Development Programme (SLDP) undertaken by the School Leadership Academy, SIEMAT, SCERT with support from the NECTAR project, is designed to strengthen school leaders’ skills and knowledge to effectively lead their schools. School leaders who participated in the programme continuously engage in various activities, driven by the goal of providing the best possible learning experience for their students. One such school leader is featured below.
Inato Jakha, is an experienced school leader who has served in the system for over thirty years. Currently, he is the Assistant Headmaster (AHM) at GHS Asuloto in Zunheboto district. Owing to the school’s remote location away from urban life, Inato faced a challenge where his students’ motivation toward education was dwindling, and they started developing a laid-back attitude. He also observed that students displayed a lack of regard for their teachers.
To address these issues, as part of the SLDP project work, Inato initiated talks on good manners during the morning assembly. He has also been organising events by inviting guest speakers to expose students to multiple perspectives and ignite their passion for studies. These events brought experts from diverse fields, offering students valuable interactions and exposing them to new ideas and experiences beyond their everyday environment.
Recollecting some of the events, Inato spoke of the opportunity they had in meeting Dr Niholi Sema, Principal, Nito Theological College. With years of experience in the teaching-learning process, she made time to talk to students class-wise, shared her experiences and motivated students about the need for education.
Similarly, Inato has connected students with the school alumni who have succeeded in various fields. On Teachers’ Day, an alumnus of the school, Hokikhe Yeptho, who is now a BCG Officer in the Department of Health and Family Welfare, visited the school and addressed the students. He fondly recalled his days as a student here, sharing how he struggled to cope with his studies, but despite the challenges, he persevered. He emphasised that, like him, many students from this school have gone on to achieve their dreams and encouraged the students to stay determined, keep learning, and never give up on their aspirations.
These initiatives are creating ripples of transformation and this is attested to by the students. Following these events, students shared how the guest speakers have positively impacted their values, habits, and aspirations.
Abeli A. Kheyumi from class 10 shared how Dr Niholi’s talk helped her gain values like the blessings of respecting teachers and loving her fellow beings. Through the school’s efforts to inculcate good manners, she now greets her teachers both in and outside of the school, and she has started small practices of praying before starting her studies. She also mentioned how she ensures she speaks honestly everywhere now.
Vikivi K Kiba, from class 10, aspiring to be an army officer, started practising cleanliness and respecting school property and rules, which fosters a positive and respectful learning environment. He recollected how the speech by a guest, who spoke about the easy accessibility of knowledge, and that nothing can replace hard work, had motivated him to continue pursuing his dream.
Noticing the progress made by his students, the school’s AHM, Inato Jakha, is encouraged to keep improving the school. He added that the students were deeply inspired to learn that even a village kid can achieve great success through consistent effort.
