Altogether 695 students from five campuses across the districts of South Garo Hills, West Khasi Hills and West Jaintia Hills received their certificates upon completion of the APEX programme by Avenues, at felicitation programmes held on August 25 in their respective campuses.
The APEX programme by Avenues was conducted at Pioneer’s Secondary School, Baghmara and United Baptist Secondary School, Baghmara in South Garo Hills; Thomas Jones Secondary School, Nongstoin and Rev. JJM Nichols Roy Memorial Secondary School, Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills; and Adventist Higher Secondary School, Khliehtyrshi in West Jaintia Hills, from 21st August to 25th August 2023.
APEX is a unique framework designed by Avenues inspired by its vision to nurture personal excellence in youth and to commemorate its 20th year as a social enterprise. Avenues hopes that innovations like these help contribute to the state’s efforts in tackling issues as diverse as high dropout rates in schools across Meghalaya, poor performance in Science and Mathematics, weak communication skills and access to wellbeing programmes.
In keeping with the spirit of the National Education Policy 2020, the APEX curriculum incorporates science and math concepts to instill critical thinking, creative mindsets and a spirit of inquiry in young adults. The modules also integrate culture and folklore to help participants imbibe cultural pride, human values and respect for other cultures. Core modules include universal human values, setting and getting goals, communication skills, emotions and wellbeing, scientific thinking and collaboration. Avenues refers to this umbrella of skill sets, Human Skills for the Future, and clubs them broadly under three core areas – Communication, Scientific Thinking and Wellbeing.
Benjamin Marak, Principal, Pioneers’ Secondary School, Baghmara, expressed his gratitude to the team from Avenues for bringing APEX to the school. “It has always been my prayer to facilitate the kind of learning that is wholesome and that helps build in our children the capacities to become instrumental to their families, society, and country. It is also our dream to provide the best of education in Baghmara and my aspiration for our children is to have a better education no matter where they come from.”
He went on to say that the communication, scientific thinking and wellbeing sessions as taught through the programme are essential for students to build their lives.
“I thank Avenues for the passion and foresight to bring in the change and the best in our students. I can already see the difference in our children and I hope that this programme will reach other schools in the district and maybe have a similar programme for teachers,” he added.
Ribahun Kharjahrin, Class 9 of Rev. JJM Nichols Roy Memorial Secondary School, Nongstoin, was one of the APEX participants and speaking of her learnings from the programme, she said, “In the past five days I have learnt many things from the training by Team Avenues such as how to present myself with the right etiquette, manners and how to carry myself in a respectable manner. We all have goals but we don’t have direction and so we lose hope. But from this programme, I am now clear how to move towards my goal and that one day I will achieve it.”
Kohmanhring Angpate, Class 11 Arts of Adventist Higher Secondary School, Khliehtyrshi, said, ”This programme has taught me the importance of communication, from the words we speak, the tone of our voice and the way we use our hands, and how we sit and stand. More than that, we also learnt how to set targets and achieve our goals in life, from small to big and we learnt all that through science activities. Last but not the least, we also learnt how our lives are built on healthy habits and human values.”
Agame Niasa A. Sangma, Class 8 of United Baptist Secondary School, Baghmara, spoke of her APEX experience saying that it is different from normal classes in school.
“One of the most important lessons for me from this programme is about Values because they remind me to always choose to be the best version of myself no matter what I do and where I go in life. The sessions also help me learn how to sit, stand and speak properly with confidence and proper etiquette whether in front of my classmates and teachers or when I meet people for the first time.” She concluded by thanking her school and the trainers for the opportunity.
Bijoy P. Syiem, Principal, Rev. JJM Nichols Roy Memorial Secondary School, Nongstoin, said, “Education has evolved from learning how to answer questions to learning how to ask questions. Programmes like these help students, particularly those coming from rural areas, how to build their self-worth and confidence and the communication skills to express themselves and also develop curiosity and interest to learn and move forward.” He went on to thank Avenues for bringing such interventions to schools in the district.
Lawansha Ksoo, Headmistress, Adventist Higher Secondary School, Khliehtryshi, spoke at the event held at the school premises, saying, “Just sitting there and seeing the students braving the stage and recounting their experience and learnings from this programme, I am deeply moved and out of words.”
Shivansh Awasthi, Deputy Commissioner, South Garo Hills, attended the felicitation programme in Baghmara, and said, “All three components of APEX – Communication, Scientific Thinking and Wellbeing constitute the Human Skills which capture both the sentiments of the National Education Policy and what we are trying to achieve through schools in our district. In essence, each component cater to our overall development – mind, emotion and action.”
He went on to add that it is his hope that the APEX model would be scaled up with support from the district administration and feedback that could come from the Education Department based on the report from the pilot programme of APEX.
“One of the many things that are synonymous and consistent with Avenues’ interventions are that they are reflected in the confidence and energy of the participants. I have observed it before and I see it now in each of you sitting here. I hope that this programme will continue with more reach and impact,” Awasthi added.
Clement P. Mawkon, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Khasi Hills, was also present at the felicitation programme in Nongstoin, and said, “When the team from Avenues first approached me in my office and told me about APEX, I was impressed because it is a great initiative and the kind that our children need today. Training programmes like these are important because they help students learn and absorb better, and express their knowledge and understanding with confidence and the right communication skills.”
He went on to say how the self-assessments done in the programme will help the students learn how to recognise their personal weaknesses and strengths, and how to build themselves up. “I urge the students to continue practising what you have learnt this week and to commit yourselves to improving your English speaking skills and vocabulary as that will go a long way to overcome your fear of language,” he added.
Mabel L. Kynta, Additional Deputy Commissioner, West Jaintia Hills, also spoke at the event in Khliehtyrshi, saying, “The moment I entered this hall and as I was sitting amongst all of you, I could feel this energy across the room and I believe it is because you have shared something special this whole week through this programme.”
She went on to say how the teachings from APEX will help prepare them for competitive exams and careers.
“Studies will give you academic knowledge but they do not teach you how to conduct and present yourselves in different real-life situations like interviews and jobs. The testimonials I heard earlier tell me that you have already become braver and better in public speaking after just five days of this programme.”
It may be mentioned that AVENUES is Meghalaya’s social enterprise for personal excellence and has impacted over 100,000 youths since 2003 in areas spanning Communication, Personal Development, Life Aspirations and Wellbeing.
