Recognition of Manipur's Leadership in Education, 2023
2023
The ASER report 20 JAN 2023 There is something interesting about the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022 released this month, as opposed to the 2021 report. ASER is an annual survey conducted by the education non-profit Pratham in rural areas of India. The survey was last conducted at this large scale in 2018. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) 2022, Manipur witnessed an improvement in enrolment in government schools in Manipur with the proportion of children (age 6 to 14) enrolled in government school increasing from 28 per cent in 2018 to 32.8 per cent in 2022. This is the highest enrolment recorded in government schools after 2008, where 33.2 per cent of the children across the state were enrolled in government schools. However, in comparison with neighbouring NE states, Manipur has the lowest government school enrolment as per the ASER report. The ASER report was released on Wednesday, the survey of which was conducted in nine districts of Manipur comprising 262 villages and 4,859 households. The reports are prepared by the Pratham foundation based on a household telephonic survey conducted in rural areas across the country. In the 2021 report, government school enrolment has fallen during this period in the northeast region, and the proportion of children not enrolled in school has increased. For Manipur, enrolment in government schools has fallen from 26.8 per cent in 2018 to 13.4 per cent in 2021. This has been accompanied by a sharp increase in the proportion of children currently not enrolled, from 1.1 per cent in 2018 to 15.5 per cent in 2021, as per the report.
The 2021 report was prepared after conducting a survey in 581 districts in 25 states and three Union Territories, between September and October. The state chief minister himself was not amused with the 2021 report, given the government’s push for overall improvement in the government school sector. However, the 2022 report is indeed encouraging for the government as its efforts seem to be paying dividends though marginally. But, one cannot achieve results overnight and it always takes gradual improvement. What is now more important is identifying the thrust areas which have contributed to the increase in overall enrolment. We would like to reiterate that a holistic approach is always needed in the pursuit of a realistic overhaul of the school education system and the primary objective of the government should rather be on how to impart basic knowledge systems to the school going kids so as to enthral the growing mind and develop capabilities to surprise us with new ideas and imagination while all other approaches should be secondary to the prime objective. We do not have much to say about the STAR education policy as we are yet to witness the results in real time. But, we intend to discuss the School Fagathansi Mission. In recent times, school education in Manipur has become a fertile ground for experimenting with projects for ‘development’ of government schools. The so-called projects, though well intended, lack a holistic approach for all-round development or for overhauling the school education system in the state which had all along been plagued with so many ailments and inconsistencies.
The thought process of the policy planners and political bosses always seems to work on piecemeal basis and at the end, it always seems to boil down to development of physical infrastructure. Previous governments and ministers have tried to address the issue in their own way. A few have introduced the idea of model schools in the different districts, equipping the socalled model districts with new infrastructure and facilities and posting good teachers. Yet, it failed to garner the desired performance of students from these model schools while on the other hand it enriched favoured contractors who were entrusted with repairing and refurbishing the schools, and supplying new furniture besides other items. In 2022, the BJP-led government also introduced the ‘School Fagathansi Mission’ in a seemingly new perspective in a wider canvas. However, the focus seems to be directed more on development of physical infrastructure rather than overall development. The same basic principle of infrastructure development or improvement and infusion of more teachers to the identified schools is at work here.
The ASER report
Manipur Government Needs a Scientific Study to Determine Ways to Increase Student Enrolment In Government Schools
4 Feb 2023 While addressing the opening of two-day third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly Session on February 2, 2023 the Governor of Manipur La Ganesan said, among others, that my govemment is taking various steps to develop the education sector. Highlighting the performance of the Government of Manipur regarding higher education, the Governor said that under Mission NAAC 2.5+, accreditation of 20 Govemment colleges by National Assessment and Accreditation Council has been achieved. To assist civil service aspirants, free physical classroom coaching has been started for 200 aspirants under the chief Minister’s Scholarship scheme for Civil Services Coaching.
Under Chief Minister’s College Maheiroi E-Support Scheme, 2,000 smart phones were distributed to meritorious students belonging to poor families for providing access to various e-learning platforms.
Drawing attention of the members of the House, the Governor said that infrastructure deveropment projects of Dhanamanjuri University for a total cost of Rs. 55 crore under RUSA were inaugurated.
‘Bamboo lnnovation and lncubation centre’ has been set up in ManipurTechnical University. MTU has also become a member of the United Nations Academic lmpact and of lndia Universities and lnstitutions Network for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Regarding school education, the Governor said, “Under ‘Schoor Fagathansi Mission’, 120 High and Higher secondary schools have been covered. Student enrorlment increased by over 30% from 2019 to 2022 academic sessions in phase-I. An increase of 5.98% was recorded in Phase-ll. To address other gaps, 10,630 pairs of dual desk and benches were provided; 106 new crassrooms, 98 new toilets and 32 science Laboratories and Libraries constructed, and 687 classrooms repaired.”
To empower students with latest knowhow in automobile sector and strengthen employment opportunities, Govemment polytechnic, Takyelpat signed a MoU with TOYOTA KIRLOSKAR to set up Toyota Technical Education programme.
Highlighting the efforts for digital learning, the Governor said that 5,000 Tablets preloaded with digital learning content were distributed to students of 310 Govemment schools under State-wide integrated Education Management System and Digital Leaming platform.
The ‘School Fagathansi Mission’ is an ambitious scheme launched by the Manipur government on January 18, 2019 with the objective to improve government schools by developing modern infrastructure and deputing adequate manpower to enhance enrolment.
STAR Education programme is also being implemented in 253 schools covering all districts. Under this, 10,876 tablets were distributed to primary Teachers to enable them to use resources available on various digital portals.
Earlier, ASER Report 2021 said that student enrolment in government schools in Manipur had declined to 13.4% in 2021 from 26.8% in 2018 while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Manipur government claimed that the number of students enrolled in government schools had increased due to various programmes taken up to improve the government schools like School Fagathansi Mission. Imphal Reviews published about this on November 27, 2021.
Regarding inclusiveness of local contents in the school curriculum, “My Government enriched local contents in textbooks of Science, Mathematics and Social Science for classes I to VIII. A write up on Mount Manipur was included in Social Science text book of Class Vlll,” the Govenor La Ganesan said. Now, from the Governor’s address regarding school education in Manipur, the increase in the student enrolment in government schools and implementation of STAR Education programme need to be discussed. The Manipur Government said that student enrorlment increased by over 30% from 2019 to 2022 academic sessions in phase-I and an increase of 5.98% was recorded in Phase-ll while the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) Report 2022 said the enrolment of children in the age group of 6-14 years in government schools in Manipur has increasded from 28.0% in 2018 to 32.8% in 2022. The All India increase in enrolment in Government schools has increased from 65.6% in 2018 to 72.9% in 2022. It may be recalled that Manipur Chief Minister Nongthombam Biren on February 12, 2020 in his frist term said that there has been a sharp increase in the number of students enrolled in government schools under the ‘School Fagathansi Mission’.
Notably, the Manipur Government denounced the ASER Report 2021 when it said that the student enrolment in government schools has declined from 26.8% in 2018 to 13.4% in 2021. However, this time the Manipur Government is not against the ASER Report 2022 as it has found according to the latest survey, the student enrolment in government schools in Manipur has increased to 32.8% in 2022. Here, it is pertinent to ask – Is student enrolment in government schools increased due to the various programmes taken up by the govenrment like “School Fagathansi Mission” and STAR Education programme, the Manipur Governor, La Ganesan higlighted in his address in the Assembly or aren’t there other factors for students migrating to government schools from private schools? One area which we need to study further for students migrating from private school to government schools thereby increasing in student enrolment in government schools to 32.8% in 2022 is the economic and financial conditions of the parents and guardians of the students due to COVID-19 lockdowns.
Moreover, another area which needs serious debate and discussion is about the STAR Education programme. The Governor of Manipur La Ganesan said in his address that STAR Education programme is also being implemented in 253 schools covering all districts. STAR Education is short form of System Transformation and Rejuvenation of Education, which is the flagship programme of the Government of Manipur to transform the education system of Manipur through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms, ensuring strong learning outcomes for children and better growth for the state. According to STAR Education, it is said that the Chief Minister of Manipur launched the School Fagathansi Mission under the ambitious “Go to Village” mission of the Government of Manipur. The Government has a visionary plan for education. It will transform Government schools into schools of excellence, paving the way for economic development and prosperity of Manipur through the transformation of physical infrastructure and manpower. With physical upgradation underway, the Government of Manipur now aims to transform the teaching and learning across all schools in the state through STAR Education. Here, some pertinent questions arise – Will STAR Education exclusively run the 253 government schools with the physical infrastructures and manpower resources provided by the Manipur Government? If these schools have to be run jointly by the STAR Education and Education Department (Schools) of Manipur Government, how can it be practically possible with transparency? Or Will the State Government give all the responsibilities to improve school education in Manipur to STAR Education? In a nutshell, the Government of Manipur needs a scientific study to find out the factors which increase in student enrolment in government schools.
12th Manipur Legislative Assembly third session | Text of the Governor's address
5 Feb 2023 The third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly began on Thursday February 2 with the governor's speech. Here's the full text of Governor La Ganesan's address to the House. Hon'ble Speaker and Hon'ble Members, I warmly welcome you all to the third session of the 12th Manipur Legislative Assembly. As we usher into the New Year, I wish all the members a productive and prosperous year ahead. 2023 will be a significant year, as lndia assumes the G20 Presidency. The year also started in an auspicious note with the inauguration and opening of Kangla Nongpok Thong. Law and Order and Justice Delivery Hon'ble Members, I am happy to inform that law-and-order situation and security environment in Manipur has improved significantly in the recent years. During 2022, 75 insurgents surrendered, 309 extremists were arrested and various arms, ammunition, etc. were recovered. g a further boost to the peace process in the State, the Government of India and the State Government has entered into a cessation of operation agreement with the Zeliangrong United Front that had been active for more than a decade.
With improved security scenario, 15 police station areas in 6 districts of the State has been excluded from the Disturbed Area Notification with effect from 1st April 2022. The Armed Forces Special Powers Act has been revoked from these areas. Government of India approved construction of 34 Police Outposts along Indo- Myanmar International Border and 6 Police Outposts along National Highway- 37 (ImphalJiribam) with cost of Rs. 80.40 crore under the Scheme for Special Assistance to States. Out of these, construction of 12 (twelve) of Border Police Outposts and 3 (three) Police Outposts along NH-37 are in progress. Hon'ble Members, to root out the menace of illegal drugs and to protect our youth, my government continues its fight against drugs under the initiative of 'War on Drugs 2.0'. During 2022, 3,517 acres of illicit poppy cultivation were destroyed in different areas of the state and 2,567 kg. of contraband drugs disposed.
2 March 2023 Exclusive Interview with- Star Education: "Transforming and Rejuvenating Education" Star Education is a flagship programme of the government of Manipur to transform the education system of Manipur through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms, ensuring strong learning outcomes for children and Better growth of the state.
STAR Education honours Leiyami Tontanga for exemplary service in Education 18 March 2023 STAR Education, the transformative education program led by the Chief Minister presented an "Exemplary Service in Education" Award to Leiyami Tontanga, STAR Teacher from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Awasiya Vidyalaya, Heinoukhong among other admirable women. The award was presented during the "Women of Substance" Award 2023 programme by ETA; Northeast Women's Network held on March 12, 2023 at Imphal Hotel as a part of International Women's Day celebration, said a press release by STAR Education. Leiyami Tontanga has been an educator for almost 10 years working strongly towards moulding children for their bright future. STAR Education team participated in the event to support the cause and promote gender equity.
The program will also dedicate the month of March to women educators in the efforts to promote gender equity in education. Speaking at the event, Amrita Thingujam, Managing Director of STAR Education said, "At STAR Education Manipur, we firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for empowering women and girls. We are committed to providing quality education to young women, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their dreams and build successful careers." It may be noted that STAR Education is a part of CM's School Fagathansi Mission under Government of Manipur to transform the education system of the State through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms.
STAR Education celebrates International Women’s Day
13 March 2023 STAR Education, the transformative education programme led by Chief Minister N Biren Singh, celebrated International Women’s Day on the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality” on Sunday at Imphal Hotel. ETA’s “Women of Substance” award 2023 was also held as a part of the celebration, Northeast Women’s Network as a gold sponsor of the award ceremony. As a part of the 3rd edition of the Annual ETA Manipur, STAR Education presented an “Exemplary Service in Education” Award to Leiyami Tontanga, STAR teacher from Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Awasiya Vidyalaya, Heinoukhong among other admirable women.
Leiyami has been an educator for almost 10 years working strongly towards moulding children for their bright future. Speaking at the event, Amrita Thingujam, Managing Director of STAR Education said, “at STAR Education Manipur, we firmly believe that education is a powerful tool for empowering women and girls. We are committed to providing quality education to young women, equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to pursue their dreams and build successful careers”. STAR Education team participated in the event to support the cause and promote gender equity. The program will also dedicate the month of March to women educators in the efforts to promote gender equity in education.
It may be mentioned that STAR Education is a part of CM’s School Fagathansi Mission under Government of Manipur to transform the education system of the State through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms, ensuring strong learning outcomes for children and better growth for the state.
Little Libraries Book Campaign launched
6 July 2023 STAR education launched a book campaign as a step towards helping government schools in Manipur. The book donation campaign, Little Libraries Book Campaign, was initiated by Star Education in collaboration with Ukiyo Bookstore, Books & Coffee and The Readers Book Store as a step towards helping government schools.
Book donation campaign launched
6 July 2023 A book campaign has been launched as a step towards helping government schools in Manipur. The book donation campaign, Little Libraries Book Campaign, was initiated by Star Education in collaboration with Ukiyo Bookstore, Books & Coffee and The Readers Book Store as a step towards helping government schools. In a release on Wednesday, Star Education said that the campaign was launched initially to help build libraries at government schools under the STAR Education programme. The campaign now incorporates a donation drive for displaced children in the current unrest in Manipur for learning and education related materials for the children at the Relief Camps, it added.
People are encouraged to donate any kind of books which will help children in learning various skills and knowledge including story books, activity books or puzzles, stationary items like pencils, pens, notebooks and toys, it appealed. It also mentioned that the donations will be collected and delivered to the relief camps covered by STAR Education Relief Outreach. The donation can be made to the drop points at Ukiyo Bookstore, Keishampat; Books and Coffee, Yumnam Leikai; The Readers Book Store, Heijigang Keithel, Canchipur and Star Education office, 2nd floor Classico Bistro Building near Porompat TV Tower.
Irom Meijrao High School secured100% success
12 July 2023
ZEO Imphal West in collaboartion with STAR Education conducted a painting competition based on the theme 'Talent Hunt for Rising Stars'
28 July 2023
Painting Competition for the children affected by the unrest situation in Manipur
Competition for displaced students held
29 July 2023
Office of the Zonal Education Officer, Imphal West and Star Education Manipur jointly organised art and painting competition on Friday on the theme 'Talent hunt programme for rising star' for riot-affected students staying in the relief camp at Manipur Trade and Expo Centre Lamboi Khongnangkhong. Speaking in this regard, Imphal West ZEO Sucheta Khumukcham informed that the competition is aimed at providing a platform for students displaced by the ethnic clashes to showcase their talents and help mitigate mental trauma faced by the young students to some extent. She also announced similar programmes will be organised at different relief camps.
The painting competition was held in four categories with Th Lanchenba (Class II), N Nikita (Class II) and M Soya (Class II) winning the first, second and third position respectively in pre-primary to Class II category. Ksh Yaiphaba (Class V), Th Dhanaraj (Class III) and Medrina (Class III) won first, second and third prize re spectively in Class III-V category; N Thounganba (Class VII), Raj (Class VII) and Ningthoujam Babysana (Class VIII) won first, second and third prize in Class VI-VIII category; while Moirangthem Sujalata (Class X) won first prize, and M Abungthoi (Class X| and Rk Prithinganba (Class X) bagged second and third prize respectively in Class IX-X category. Thermos bottle, diary were given to the winners of the competition.
ZEO Imphal West in collaboartion with STAR Education conducted a painting competition based on the theme 'Talent Hunt for Rising Stars'
29 July 2023
Amid conflict, education support group brings smiles to affected Manipur children Forty-three members of STAR Education are working relentlessly in different districts to try and make the children happy through learning activities in the relief camps. Thingujam said the children were highly stressed when they had arrived. “We observed the depth of their trauma. When we asked these children to write about five things that they like the most, some boys, aged 8 or 9 years, would write they love guns and want them. They would write that they want to learn to fight,” she said.
30 July 2023 Even as the guns roar in strife-torn Manipur, an organisation, which works in the field of education in several countries, is trying to put a smile on the faces of affected schoolchildren and reduce their learning gap. Benumbed by witnessing the bout of violence, these children obviously needed some mirth in the relief camps where they have been lodged for nearly three months. “We have seen many children impacted and traumatised by the violence, so we are trying to make them happy. We are also trying to bridge their learning gap,” Amrita Thingujam, managing director of System Transformation and Rejuvenation of Education or STAR Education, told this newspaper.
In 2019, the state government launched the “School Fagathansi Mission”. The idea was to transform physical infrastructure. STAR Education is a programme taken up in the second phase under the mission to address social infrastructure. NewGlobe partnered with the government for STAR Education to create globallycompetitive government schools through the transformation of teaching and learning that could produce giant learning gains. “We are not experts in psychology but we try to ensure a playful environment for the children in relief camps by organising various activities on the lines of our classroom management techniques. We try to cheer them up and recognise if they have done something nice,” Thingujam said.
STAR Education is sticking to the core objective of the programme, focusing on education. It works with children aged 4-15 years and is getting a good response. The kids have been also given English activity books based on literacy and numeracy. “We spend one week at one camp and come back again later as we cycle through the various camps. The children want us to visit them more often. We worked in 37 relief camps and we observed that after our intervention, children are now more expressive. They have become children again,” Thingujam said. The kids at a relief camp in the Imphal West district were captivated two days ago when Naga folk musician and singer Rewben Mashangva belted out a couple of songs, appealing for peace.
“We had two objectives. We wanted to give a platform to these children to showcase their latent talent. Secondly, they witnessed the ethnic violence from close quarters and they are in a state of great emotional stress. Creative art is a medium for emotional and psychological healing. We organised this event for their emotional well-being,” Zonal Education Officer, Imphal West, Sucheta Khumukcham said.
Khumukcham said STAR Education was doing a wonderful job in Manipur. She said its programme was being implemented in 33 schools in her zone.
She said when these children arrived, they were highly stressed because they had seen the violence.
The now-retired Manipur Commissioner of Education, H Deleep Singh, met NewGlobe at the Education World Forum in 2019 and invited it to the state.
“I can now see a positive change in them. They are opening up. They want to interact more with others,” Khumukcham said. A boy here, whose house was torched by a mob, said he never imagined such hatred. He appealed to both warring communities to cool down and live life like before again. A girl said she made a lot of friends at the relief camp and they comforted one another. “I wish to go back home but the home is no longer standing there. It was razed to the ground,” she said.
“Their programme has brought about many positive changes in the teaching and learning process. So, I thought of collaborating with them in organising this programme for a good cause,” she added.
An education support organisation, NewGlobe works as a technical partner to governments across seven countries to make schools globally competitive. It supports them with a technology-enabled and data-driven education system. NewGlobe’s work has been evaluated by Nobel prize-winning economist Professor Michael Kremer who has evidence that the learning gains made by NewGlobe are the largest ever measured in the history of education interventions across the developing world.
Amid conflict, education support group brings smiles to affected Manipur children
30 July 2023
Nupimacha was diagnosed with cancer just two months before a blaze destroyed her home in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district on May 3, during the breakout of ethnic violence in the State. At a relief camp in Imphal three days later, the 15-year-old began wondering if she would live long enough to see her five-member family back in their native village of Dairy. Almost three months later, the yearning to return home is stronger, but she has learnt to acknowledge that there is no point worrying too much about things not in her control.
Amid conflict, education support group brings smiles to affected Manipur children HE SOLUTIONS Thingujam said: “We work with the relief camps to help them connect with psychologists and other NGOs who further have sessions with them. Children are engaged in two kinds of activities — playbased learning for younger children and activity-based learning for older ones."
The activities focus on developing language, physical, social and Children from Manipur staying in self-care skills, catering to relief camps have expressed the different age groups." As time desire to get firearms such as AK-56 progresses, the engagement and AK-47 for protection, say experts levels have improved, with more from STAR Education, a flagship children participating in the programme of the Manipur activities and becoming more government’s education department. interactive. At least 10,000 children from the state do not have access to THE CONCERNS education, with most of them staying As part of the interactive in relief camps, according to official sessions, the children expressed estimates. STAR Education officials the desire to get AK-47 and AKare working to give better living 56 for protection. Some have also conditions to children in these developed divisive perspectives, camps. harbouring negative sentiments
21 August 2023
Speaking to News18, Amrita Thingujam, MD, STAR Education, Manipur, said: “In relief camps, children are facing a range of challenges and emotional hardships. Initially, during the early days of the relief outreach, many children were less interactive, likely due to the trauma and stress they experienced from recent clashes and displacement. The aim is to prepare the children for school by instilling essential skills through play-based and activity-based learning approaches.
against communities, further deepening the existing divide, said officials. One of the critical observations is that some of the older children in the camps are still grappling with the realities of displacement, including among other concerns, the gap in their education. All of these highlight the urgent need to provide psychosocial support to these children, say experts.
In relief camps, a child-friendly space has been thoughtfully established, providing a safe haven for children to express themselves. Recreational sessions and focus group activities are conducted to help them connect, express freely and find solace. Face-to-face interactions provide compassionate support for sharing experiences and concerns, she added. Sources say this team has been collaborating with the Deputy Commissioners, Education Department and the Zonal Education Offices focusing on children between the ages of 4 to 15. They also collaborate with volunteer organisations and relief centre organisers to extend its support network and intervene through a structured outreach programme to instill skill sets among children and get them ready for when school starts and to establish continuity for learning. As News18 travelled to the relief camps, most children said they wanted to return home, amid their games of gunfight. Sources say some are joining village forces and trying weapons, which is a concern. Emotional healing and continuity of education should be the key focus areas, say experts. Thingujam said: “Continued counselling is necessary to cultivate a compassionate comprehension of one’s historical and societal backdrop.
As educators, we’re dedicated to instilling a profoundly empathetic approach to history, along with a focus on building systems and a society that aims for conflict resolution and peace. Collaboration with the Department of Education is essential in incorporating empathy, peace, and conflict studies into the curriculum. Simultaneously, we seek to encourage inter-tribal and communal relations." “Additionally, we want to work towards building collaboration, team effort, activities that promote mental wellbeing and peace, as well as mindfulness practices and counselling, all of which should become integral components of the school experience," she said. THE PROGRAMME The System Transformation and Rejuvenation of Education (STAR) Education is a part of the CM’s School Fagathansi Mission under the Government of Manipur to transform the education system of the state through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms. The programme is being implemented in 253 schools, training 1,172 teachers and impacting 24,290 students across 16 districts of the state in its first year. Beginning with a select number of relief camps, STAR Education’s outreach has gradually expanded to encompass more camps over time. Currently 37+ camps are being covered.
Tech-driven mission boosts enrolment in Manipur's govt schools
17 September 2023 Amid growing efforts nationally to improve education and enrolment in government schools, Manipur has emerged as a rising star. As bucking the trend of migration from government to private schools, the northeast state registered a 21 per cent increase in enrolment in government schools. Moreover, Manipur also registered 45 per cent rise in schools where System Transformation and Rejuvenation of Education (STAR Education) was implemented by collaborating with NewGlobe, an international education support organisation, two years ago. STAR Education is a part of the Chief Minister’s “School Fagathansi Mission”.
The programme provides an innovative technology and data-driven platform, coupled with high-quality materials, training and coaching for teachers and tech-enabled support teams. The project resulted in a paradigm shift from traditional to technology-based teaching methods, which helped in increasing enrolment. Moreover, the teaching methods, learning model and assessment system helped improve the learning outcomes of students and made the teaching-learning process in classrooms more engaging and effective.
She also said that teaching strategies such as small group practice to study students’ postlesson reflection and reserved time for teachers to provide positive and targeted feedback cater to the learning needs of different categories of students – both slow as well as fast learners. H Sayarani, teacher of Ramlal Paul Higher Secondary School, said under the STAR Education programme, there is a common lesson plan for all schools for The government said STAR “In addition, STAR Education Education measures leverages technology to enable uniformity in content. She said it helps teachers complete each performance of schools, real-time data tracking, attendance of students and providing teachers with valuable lesson on time. teachers, adherence to insights into student curriculum, management of performance and learning gaps. Sujatha Muthayya, vice president, Asia, Policy & schools and instructional By harnessing data, teachers Partnership, NewGlobe, said practices, among others. can adjust teaching strategies to better meet the needs of their the project is focused on foundational literacy and Phase 1 of the programme was students,” the statement said. numeracy with customised implemented in 253 schools supplementary learning and the training provided to Zonal Education Officer of materials. 1,172 teachers impacted Imphal West district, Sucheta 24,290 students across 16 Khumukcham said a positive “We demonstrated districts. impact is an increase in improvement in literacy and enrolment in government numeracy by 27 and 40 per “The project aims to improve schools where the STAR cent respectively. The average literacy and numeracy skills of Education project is being student in a STAR Education students in public schools and implemented. school experienced an empower teachers with cuttingacceleration of eight additional edge technology and training, “For instance, students’ resulting in significant enrolment in Sardar Patel High percentage points on a improvement in learning School, Imphal West was only numeracy assessment, relative to their counterparts not in the outcomes,” a statement said. 75 in the 2022 academic session and then, it drastically programme,” she said. Teachers are equipped with increased to 356 in the current the latest teaching methods academic session. This can be “We also increased enrolment and resources, enabling them attributed to the increased trust by 45 per cent. This shows we increased the confidence of to create dynamic and effective of parents brought about by communities in the provision of lesson plans that cater to the innovative changes,” education in government needs of each student. Khumukcham said. schools,” she said.
International Day of the Girl Child 2023Invest in Girls’ Rights : Our leadership, our well-being 11 October 2023 STAR Education Mani-pur, a program dedicated to improving educational opportunities, mirrors the principles upheld by the International Day of the Girl Child—a day designated by the United Nations to recognize and address the challenges faced by girls. “In 2012, the United Nations designated October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child, recognizing the distinct challenges girls face globally and the urgent need to address them. This day serves as a global platform to advocate for and invest in the empowerment and well-being of girls, ensuring they can fully participate in and contribute to the building of a better world for all,” affirms the United Nations. Over the years, this day has evolved into a powerful global platform to spark interest for goals that can improve girls’ lives and empower them to reach their full potential. In 2023, the theme is a particularly resonant one: “Invest in girls’ rights: Our leaders, our prosperity.”
This theme highlights an important aspect of girls’ empowerment—a transition from just being passive recipients of assistance to becoming proactive agents of transformation. This day brings to our attention that girls are not just beneficiaries but are strong contributors to our collective future. One of the most crucial aspects of empowering girls is ensuring access to quality education. Education is not only a fundamental right but also a powerful tool for personal and societal transfor- mation. Unfortunately, millions of girls worldwide still face obstacles such as poverty, discrimination, and violence that prevent them from attending school. International Day of the Girl Child shines a light on these disparities and calls for action to provide equal edu- cational opportunities for girls. In this aspect, initiatives like STAR Education work to empower girl students in the government schools of Manipur.
The Manipur State Education Department, in partnership with STAR Education, has embarked on a transformative journey to enhance the educational landscape in the State. In its inaugural year, STAR Education made substantial strides, implementing its unique model in 253 schools spanning 16 districts. These STAR-supported schools have consistently nurtured girls’ foundational learning focused on enabling them to unlock their potential and pursue academic excellence. The program’s ongoing success relies on its ability to adapt to local contexts while simultaneously meeting global standards. STAR Education has also actively embedded gender sensitivity into every aspect of its educational program such as ensuring equal visibility of male and female characters in artworks and creative stories in learning materials and steps like introducing teaching techniques that ensure equal participation in classrooms.
An investment in girl/women rights isn’t an act of charity; it’s a strategic one. It is an investment in a world that is fairer, more inclusive, and inherently sustainable. Girls are not just passive recipients of empowerment; they are also powerful agents of change. They lead movements, advocate for their rights, and initiate projects that have a profound impact on their communities. Malala Yousafzai, for example, became the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate for her advocacy of girls’ education. Greta Thunberg, another inspiring young woman, has led the global climate strike movement. These girls demonstrate that age is no barrier to making a difference. Girls’ education has come a long way, but significant disparities still exist. One of the most significant challenges girls face is the burden of stereotypes and societal expectations. This day is a call to break free from the shackles of these stereotypes. It encourages girls to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), sports, and any field they desire. It reminds us that girls can be both strong and compassionate, leaders and collaborators, independent and supportive. Educated girls are far more equipped with the skills to make choices about their own future.
They possess the power to uplift themselves, their communities, and even their coun- tries out of poverty. The ripple effect of girls’ education is profound. A mere percentage point increase in girls’ educational attainment can amplify GDP growth by 0.3 percentage points and raise annual GDP growth rates by 0.2 percentage points. Furthermore, each additional year of education for girls translates into a 10-20% increase in their future wages. Notably, women reinvest an astounding 90% of their income in their families, a figure significantly higher than the 3040% reinvested by men. Today’s empowered girls become tomorrow’s leaders, professionals, innovators, and problem solvers. They are the force behind progress, the architects of a better world. This truth finds resonance in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by world leaders in 2015, where gender equality and women’s empowerment are integral components of all 17 SDGs. At STAR Education, we are unwavering in our belief that gender equality is not just a principle but a foundation for equitable and thriving societies. As we commemorate the International Day of the Girl Child, let us move beyond rhetoric and take bold, actionable steps.
Let us empower girls to lead, inspire, and catalyse positive change within their communities and beyond. Together, we can ensure that girls’ leadership and well-being are not just aspirations but the lived reality for generations to come.
11 October 2023
11 October 2023
12 October 2023
STAR Education celebrates International Day of the Girl Child
11 October 2023 STAR Education in collaboration with Ibotonsana Hr Sec School celebrated International day of the Girl Child on Wednesday at the school premises under the theme, "Invest in Girls' Rights: Our Leadership, Our Wellbeing". In a release, Star Education informed that this year the day is focused on uniting adolescent girls with advocates for their rights, including UN leaders, NGOs, businesses, and Governments. STAR Education conducted a short yet empowering activity in line with the theme. In the activity, the students were asked to write a short positive/empowering/motivation al note and post it on a designation Notice Board.
The idea was to spread positivity and motivate the girl child to dream big and to invest in their aspirations. Speaking on the occasion, Amrita Thingujam, Managing Director, STAR Education said,"International Day of the Girl Child is a day to honour and celebrate the remarkable potential and resilience of girls worldwide. Every girl, irrespective of her socio-cultural background, inherently possesses the right to pursue her aspirations and gain access to equal opportunities. At STAR Education, we steadfastly adhere to a foundational tenet: to provide equitable education to every child, transcending the constraints of gender,
birthplace, parental income, or their parents' education levels. We ardently believe that every child in Manipur deserves the chance to realise their full potential". Highlighting the power of education in shaping better futures, she continued, "STAR Education believes in the power of education in empowering children for better futures. This day was celebrated to remind each one of us about the importance of the girl child". The collaborative effort between STAR Education and STAR-supported school: Ibotonsana Hr Sec School underscores the commitment to championing girls' rights, fostering leadership, and promoting the overall wellbeing of girls in Manipur. Notably, STAR Education is a part of CM’s School Fagathansi Mission under Government of Manipur to transform the education system of the State through excellence in teaching and learning in classrooms, ensuring strong learning outcomes for children and better growth for the State.
11 October 2023
11 October 2023
14 November 2023
15 November 2023
15 November 2023
15 November 2023
Children's Day: Many reach out to displaced children at relief camps 15 November 2023 To commemorate the 134th birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, edible items and study materials were presented to displaced children staying at Lamding Higher Secondary School relief camp today. Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president and MLA of Wangkhem Assembly Constituency, Keisham Meghachandra presented the above items during a simple function held today. Speaking at the occasion, K Meghachandra said that the Congress party provided the relief materials to the displaced children with the primary objective to extend best possible help in actualising Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's vision of providing inclusive education and equal rights to the young children and to promote their healthy well-being who are the future. In connection with the prevailing communal crisis in the State, he appealed to the State to
solve the crisis amicably considering the extreme situation faced by the people. MPCC general secretary, vicepresident, Thoubal District Congress Committee president, secretary and other party members were also present at the occasion. STAR Education marked the occasion of Children's Day by distributing STAR activity books to children residing in relief camps across the State. STAR Education collaborated with ENM Crafteria, Sagolband; Ya_All Northeast; The Youth Network, Kwakeithel and Matai Society, Bishnupur to reach out to more relief camps through their collective network, said a press release by STAR
Education, Communications Director. The ongoing STAR Relief Outreach initiative has ensured the distribution of activity books to students ranging from Kindergarten to Class X in various relief camps since its initiation. It is worth noting that STAR Relief Outreach has already provided these books to over 3,000 displaced students in more than 50 relief camps across Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur districts. Looking ahead, the program is aimed at supporting more NGOs, communities, entrepreneurs and individuals for collaborative efforts, enhancing assistance to
children in relief camps. The distribution of STAR activity books is set to continue throughout the month of November, added the release. Meanwhile, as a part of its campaign 'Multiplying Smile', Global Shapers Community Imphal Hub celebrated Children's Day at the relief camp at Lamboikhongnangkhong in Imphal West today. Around 200 displaced children and the elderly participated in the programme wherein renowned singers of Manipur Sadananda Hamom, Kenedy Khuman, Arbin Soibam and Yumnam Jackson interacted with the children and motivated them to stay strong and be optimistic amid these trying times. Nodal Officer of the relief camp, Yumnam Dhanendra expressed gratitude for organising such programmes for the displaced children.
15 November 2023