Education scheme adopts music after hitting high notes

Dimapur, Oct 20 (EMN): The Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) in Nagaland has now among its arsenal an instrument that isn’t necessarily books but rather, no pun, an instrument of music. A curriculum of music is now part of the project in the state, according to updates from the government bulletin DIPR on Saturday.
The RMSA is a centrally sponsored scheme of the ministry of Human Resource Development, for the development of secondary education in public schools throughout India.

In the hope to promote music and ‘instil confidence’, and ‘Christian values and leadership skills in children of rural villages,’ the Secheku Children Music Ministry takes music lessons to 13 villages travelling. The music ministry was founded by a Khrowutso Letro, a young musician, who reportedly takes a motorbike to take his trade to the children.

The 13 villages are in the area of Sucheku, under the subdivision officer’s (civil) establishment of Chizami, in Phek district.
After receiving two classes per month since March 2015, the children sat for the music theory examination and came out with flying colours, the DIPR stated. Seven students scored marks with distinction of 90% and over; five graduated with merit with over 70% and eight got through the course with 60% and over marks.

The DIPR stated: “Overjoyed with the performance of the students, the Secheku Children Music Ministry with the desire to acknowledge and encourage the students decided to organize a felicitation programme for the successful students. When this came to the knowledge of School Education department, the department thought that the felicitation programme would be just the appropriate event to also launch the music curriculum under RMSA and which is being introduced as a co-curricular activity in government schools.”

Accordingly, a programme to launch the music curriculum as part of the state’s RMSA was held in Mesulumi Village Baptist Church, in Phek district, on October 18. Additional Chief Secretary Temjen Toy did the honours of felicitating the successful students. He gave away violins and certificates from the London College of

Music to the top three students and cash incentives to 17 students. He congratulated Khrowutso Letro for the work he did and encouraged the students to strive and excel to become assets to the society.

The principal secretary for School Education launched the music curriculum and announced that the government higher secondary school of Pfutsero to be the first school to introduce the curriculum. It was informed that the curriculum was approved by the ministry at the centre as a pilot project for Nagaland.

The music component of the scheme will aim at ‘adding colour’ to the school curriculum ‘with the hope that it will also attract and retain possible dropouts in school,’ the DIPR stated. The students were urged to be obedient to their parents ‘in the Lord which is right and to walk in the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom.’

The programme was chaired by Kevileno Angami, Mission Director, Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan which was attended by
About 500 people including officials from the district administration and School Education department, and village functionaries, church leaders, parents and children attended the event. The music students also performed five songs during the event, the updates stated.