Following the damage on Government High School, Phisami by the storm on 25 October, the students of the school can now resume their classes through the collective efforts of the villagers and well-wishers.
Read more: Cyclone Sitrang creates havoc in villages in Kiphire district
Through the contributions of well-wishers, village citizens, the village council and the School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), the construction of temporary classrooms were completed on 29 October.
Speaking to Nagaland Tribune, Atoka, an assistant teacher of GHS, stated that the teachers of the school and the villagers as a whole decided to take matters into their own hands without waiting any longer for the state government to help with funds for the construction work. The students were already lagging behind in their studies for almost a week, he said, adding that they took the initiative out of “concerns over the future of their students”.
This is the second time that the school staff and villagers have come together to rebuild the classrooms of GHS which have been struck twice by the forces of nature – the first by a fire accident in 2018 and the second, Cyclone Sitrang in 2022.
The lower section of GHS was completely removed by strong winds on 25 October.
The expenses for the temporary classroom construction were met by the contributions of certain individuals and the community. Minister of Soil & Water Conservation, Geology & Mining Kashiho Sangtam donated Rs 50,000, GHS Teaching & Non- teaching staff Rs 30,000 and BJP Spokeperson Nagaland Kashito Rs 5000.
The materials for the construction were purchased in Aghunato of Zunheboto district, a 3-hour drive from Phisami village.
The villagers and parents of students helped in constructing the classrooms.
“The efforts of the Phisami villagers for its education and students is tangible. We are blessed and thankful to everyone who have been a great anchor of hope to us in the times when we were suffering at its worst time,” said Atoka.
He further lauded the dedication and support of the villagers and parents of students who had come in their physical capacity to help build the temporary classrooms at GHS Phisami.
