Hiloto Awomi said nine years as a teacher in Government Middle School (GMS) Amiphoto in Zunheboto District, has been an authentic experience. Awomi was one of the four teachers who were awarded with District Teachers Award 2022 for their outstanding contribution and service to education.

He said that he learns new things each day along with his students and that the smile he receives from a student, who has understood the concept of the lesson, gives him the passion to teach. Hiloto added that he gets life lessons from his students, and he hopes to make an impression in his students’ lives.

One teacher, by himself, cannot bring much change, he added. It is rather by teamwork that great things can be achieved. The Award winner thanked his colleagues and students for welcoming any innovative changes in the school with positive attitudes and dedicated his award to them. He said that they inspired him to strive more.

Talking about the challenges of being a teacher in a government-run school, he lamented that sometimes teachers fail to understand the rural background of their students. He said teachers can do better by adopting methods of teaching based on their pupils and their socio-economic circumstances.

He also pointed out that since most of his students work as domestic helps or live with relatives, the students and the guardians often neglect attendance at school. He added that the heavy workload at home hinders effective learning.

Awomi said that learning abilities differ from child to child and that he puts in extra efforts to understand each child so that he can cater to their needs accordingly. He added that a teacher has to play multifaceted roles in a student’s life- an educator, a mentor, a guide, a leader, etc.