The Ao Students’ Conference (AKM) observed the 64th Teachers’ Day and organised a felicitation programme for the District Teachers Award recipients at the Conference Hall, Whispering Winds, Mokokchung, today.

Kewimesin Nraime, EAC, Mokokchung, graced the occasion as special guest, while Senior Superintendent of Police, Mokokchung, Vesupra Kezo, NPS, Additional SP, Mokokchung, DEO Mokokchung Arenla and SDEO Mokokchung Chubayanger were also present during the occasion.

The programme was chaired by Otienla I. Kichu, invocation was pronounced by Akumwapang Longchar, Youth Promoter, Alempang Baptist Church, and the welcome note was delivered by AKM president Lanulemba Longchar. Students of Ladybird School presented a special number as part of the celebration.

The highlight of the programme was the presentation of the District Teachers Award to Kangabam Rajenkumar Singh, GT, GHS, Longjang, Pusumenla Pongener, GT, Assam Rifles School, Mokokchung, Sentimenla, GT, PM SHRI Mayangnokcha GHSS, Mokokchung and Shiluyongdang, Head Teacher, GMS, Chungtiayimsen.

Addressing the gathering, EAC Kewimesin Nriame conveyed her warm greetings on the 64th Teachers’ Day and congratulated all the awardees.
“A teacher does much more than complete a syllabus. He/She moulds a child’s character and can change the trajectory of a child’s life. Teaching is the most noble profession and it creates other professions,” she said.

Placing the celebration in the context of Mokokchung, she said Mokokchung has always had a strong tradition of valuing education and has produced generations of students, professionals, administrators, entrepreneurs, educators and community leaders. “Behind every such achievement, there has been a teacher, a school and a community that invested in that young person’s potential,” she said.

Stressing on the human aspect of education, she said, “Technology can provide information. Artificial intelligence can answer questions. But a machine cannot replace the human relationship between a teacher and a student. A teacher notices when a student is struggling. A teacher recognises potential that may not yet be visible. A teacher can inspire a student to dream bigger. Therefore, as we move towards a more technology-driven future, we must not make education less human. We must make it more human, more inclusive and more meaningful.”

She acknowledged the role of organisations such as the Ao Students’ Conference in bringing together students, teachers and the wider community and said the strength of Nagaland has always been its community spirit.

“Government alone cannot transform education. Schools alone cannot do it. Parents alone cannot do it. It has to be a partnership between the school, family, community and administration,” she said.

She added that as district administration, they remain committed to working with the education department, teachers, students and community organisations to improve the quality of education in Mokokchung.

“We must collectively ask ourselves: Are our children merely passing examinations, or are we preparing them for life? Are they learning to memorise answers, or are they learning to ask the right questions? Are we preparing them only for government jobs, or are we preparing them to become entrepreneurs, professionals, skilled workers, innovators and responsible citizens? These are questions that require all of us to work together,” Nriame said.

Congratulating the awardees, she said an award is not merely a certificate or a moment of recognition. “It represents years of commitment, many early mornings, long hours, difficult classrooms, individual attention to students and countless moments when teachers chose to keep going despite challenges. Your recognition today is also a reminder of the responsibility and influence that you carry,” she said.

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Making an appeal, she said, “To our teachers: continue to inspire. Do not underestimate the impact that a few words of encouragement can have on a young person’s life. To our students: respect your teachers, but also make the most of what they offer you. Education is not something that can simply be given to you. You have to actively seek it, question, practice and apply it. And to parents and the community: let us give our teachers the support, respect and cooperation they deserve.”

“The future of Mokokchung will ultimately be shaped by the young people sitting in our classrooms today. If we give them good teachers, strong values, relevant skills and opportunities to dream, we will be giving our district something far more valuable than infrastructure or resources — we will be giving it capable and responsible citizens,” she added.

DEO Mokokchung, Arenla, in her speech, paid tribute to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and thanked AKM for organising the programme in a grand manner. “Today is a day to honour and acknowledge every teacher who quietly and selflessly shaped the destiny of every child. Teachers are the guiding light who lead children from darkness and ignorance,” she said, adding that teachers do not just teach subjects but guide students in life and nurture their dreams. She lauded the Ladybird School students and said the education office considers teachers as primary partners in the growth of the education sector.

Imnuksungla Longkumer, President, ANPSA, Mokokchung Unit, said, “The mediocre teacher tells, the good teacher explains, the superior teacher demonstrates, and the great teacher inspires.” She said education is much more than textbook and classroom and felicitated the awardees for their dedication.

Awardee Pusumenla Pongener, in her acceptance speech on behalf of all awardees, thanked God and the AKM and said the award was a deeply humbling experience and an encouragement to serve with greater commitment. She thanked her students, family, colleagues and school authorities and urged fellow teachers to create classrooms where children feel valued and inspired.

The programme also included presentation of tokens of appreciation to distinguished guests and concluded with a vote of thanks by Imlikokba Kichu, Education Secretary, AKM, followed by benediction by Wungmei, Associate Pastor Youth, KBCM.