Hamai English High School

Hamai English High School is located in the Eastern region of India, in the state of Manipur, Tamenglong District, Namraining Tamei Hq, and belongs to a minority tribe called, 'Liangmai Kacha Naga'. The institute is run by their own association, Liangmai Naga Baptist Association (LNBA) under the philosophy of Christian fellowship, to promote quality education.

The Hamai English High School is one of the forerunners in the field of education among the Liangmais, where most of the parents remain uneducated and want their children to only work in the field, so that they could have enough two meals a day. Thus this educational institute is helping its own people shape their attitudes towards 'education' and as well as leading the Liangmai community towards a new era of progress and development.

Hamai

'Hamai' means the descendants of 'Haanb', who was the great great grandfather of Liangmai, Maram, Npui, Rongmei, Thangal and Zeme, who led his children to the present land and enabled them to settle permanently.

School Emblem

A circle indicating unity through Christ, with a cross on top within the circle symbolizing the saving Grace and forbearance. The seven hills under the cross indicate the topography of the land which symbolizes the struggles in life to achieve our cherished goal. The book below the circle indicates the importance of modern education and the ribbon inscribing 'Wisdom For Service' indicates that the Loving God is ever ready to give His Wisdom and understanding to whosoever seek humbly so as to bring honor and dignity in life.

Location

Hamai English High School is located at the northern side of Namraining Tamei town, Tamenglong District, Manipur, bordering Piuleklong village.

Brief History

Hamai English High School (HEHS) was established in 1975 under the initiatives taken by the Liangmai Naga Baptist Association (LNBA) with 15 Kindergarten students in the first year. In due course of time, the school had been upgraded to a full-fledged High School in 1991 and was recognized by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) in 1992. HEHS thus sent up few candidates for HSLC examination in 1992 for the first time and it became the torch-bearer of quality education in Tamei area. The school was further upgraded to Higher Secondary School level though for a short period in the year 2000 with 13 students in X1 class in private, but after completing their course in the Secondary section it had to put up the shutters due to nonavailability of feeders. The school also started giving free basic computer courses in February 2004 to all the students from class III to X studying in its school.

Hamai English High School was almost close down in the year 1993 due to the Kuki-Naga ethnic conflict which saw most of the students and teachers forsaking the school for their lives. But it slowly grew up again. Slowly, the situation returned to normalcy in 1995 but HEHS was also among the few education institutions which stood its grounds.

The founding fathers of the Liangmai Naga Baptist Association, Manipur had felt the need to set up a Christian Model English Medium Scholl in the Northern Hamai inhabited areas for quite sometime, but their dream could not be materialized immediately due to various reasons. However they never lost their heart and waiting to seize the right opportunity. Subsequently, in the year 1975, which was first established at Namraining Tamei Hq under the name and style of 'Hamai Baptist English School', with 15 students in Kgs in the first year.. The school was sponsored by the Hamai Northern Churches Fellowship (HNCF) of Association No. 4 (also known as Zeliangrong Baptist Association or ZBA in short), under Manipur Baptist Convention and the administrative affairs of the school is looked after by the Education Secretary of HNCF under the supervision of the School Managing Board.

The school was shifted from Namraining, Tamei Bazaar to Ritiang (Langmei) Christian Mission Centre in 1977 due to unavoidable circumstances. A new 'Managing Board of School' was formed and they took unanimous decision to rename the 'Hamai Baptist English School' to 'Hamai English School' thus deleting the word 'Baptist'. The school was then looked after by the Hamai Northern Churches Fellowship (HNCF)till it was renamed as Liangmai Churches Fellowship (LCF) in 1982. The LCF further disassociated from ZBA in December 1983 and formed separate Association in Feb 1984 which was recognized by the Manipur Convention (MBC) on 12 March 1987 under the name and mode of the Liangmai Naga Association, Manipur (LNBA-M). In the same year, (i.e. Oct 1987) the Hamai School was further shifted to the present permanent location from Ritiang Christian Mission Centre, LNBA-M, as the leaders had foreseen a better prospect for the institution.

The Hamai English School was upgraded to a full-fledged High School in 1991 and was recognized by the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur in 1992. This could have been possible mainly due to the Loving Grace of God the Almighty and the tireless effort of Rev.H.Newmai, the then Chairman of School Board, Mr.(l) John Mathai the then Principal in-charge, Mn.Kikhonbou, Vice Principal, members of the Managing Board and other LNBA-M leaders. Hamai English School was almost closed down in the last part of the year 1993 due to the senseless Kuki-Naga ethnic clash, however the everlasting loving God did not forsake His children even during the darkest hour of the school history. The year 1994 became not only the year of trials and testings but also one of the turning point for the progress and stability of the school as He sent more committed staffs to accept the responsibilities and held the flag high.

The Liangmai Naga Baptist Association, Manipur adopted its constitution in 1995 and the Education Department, LNBA-M became an autonomous department headed by the Education Director, who was given full responsibility to look after all the administrative affairs and financial matter of the Hamai School as the Principal.

Facilities

Library

Adequate library facilities are given to the students and staff of the school to feed up to-date knowledge so as to meet the challenges of the fast changing world. Library cards are issued to all the students of Hamai every year.

Science Laboratory

The basic requirements of Science equipments for a High School is provided to the students and staff.Regular Science practical classes, Project works, etc., are conducted from Class V to X students.Science project work is a must for every students and Science Exhibition is also conducted every year.

Basic Computer Course

The Hamai English High School has set aside 25 computers exclusively for the students and every year the number keeps growing, replacing desktops with laptops or small affordable portable computers. The students from Class III to X are to take up computer subjects compulsory and they are given regular computer practical classes. Internet facilities are also available in the school though it could not be functioned effectively due to erratic and irregular Telephone facilities of BSNL at Namraining tamei HQ. Outsiders are also given basic computer courses from time to time.

Relief & Medical Aids

Students and staff of the Hamai English High School are provided first aids and relief grant as per the seriousness of their illness. Relief grant is also provided to the students in case the bread earner of the family is expired or permanently handicapped or paralyzed. Orphans are given free tuition fee from Kg to Class X. Besides that in every year, three poorest students, one ech from different churches/villages are given free tuition fees. One child of every pastors is given half tuition fees during their tenure/term.

Games and Sports

Different kinds of outdoor and indoor sports facilities suitable and popular in the locality like Football, volleyball, table tennis, chess, skipping are provided to the students and staff of the school. Annual Sports Week is conducted every year in order to refresh the mind of the students.

Extra- Curricular Activities

The school also encourages the students to participate in extra-curricular activities like Debate, Extempore Speech, Quiz competition, Painting & Drawing, Maths Olympiad, Essay writing Competition, Poetry Competition, etc.,in different categories.

Merit Scholarship

To encourage the bright students, the school authority selects 35 toppers in every academic session and awarded various type of Merit Scholarships. All the students who could score 70% throughout the academic session are also given Foundation Award with Certificates, gifts and one month tuition fee free.

School Choir

Hamai School Choir plays a pivotal role in every social programs and in almost all the important celebrations of the Liangmai Naga Baptist Association, Manipur at Namraining Tamei Hq. The Hamai School was the only school who had done all the reception of every VIP's visits at Namraining Tamei Hq till 2000 since there was no other school students to represent at that particular period of time. The list below are the few programs attended by the School choir which are worth mentioning.

a) The Hamai School Choir represented Special Song at Liangmai Katina Roungdi (All Liangmai Naga Students Union) General conference at Ritiang Village in the year 1997.

b) The Hamai School Choir represented LNBA-M at Liangmai Naga 2000 Ad/New Millenium Celebration at Tening Village where all Liangmais from different religions and all walks of life came together and celebrated "Liangmai 2000" from 12-17 Dec 2000 AD.

c) The Hamai School Choir was the Leading Choir of the Passover Celebration of the Liangmai Naga Manipur celebrated at LNBA-M Centre Church, Namraining, Tamei Hq from 14-15th Feb 2004 which was considered to be the biggest gathering of the Liangmais so far.

d) The Hamai Choir also participated at the General conference of LNKR in the year 2005 at Piulekluong Village and the General Conference of Zeliangrong Youth Front at Namraining Tamei Hq in 2002.

Boarding & Hostels Facilities

For better accommodation of the far off students, the school authority opened different hostels and boarding houses in collaboration with different trust worthy persons in the town.

i. Boys Hostel. (seat capacity is 25)

It is opened at school compound for boys students who could looked after themselves. They are looked after by a warden who stays along with them to help them in every needs.

ii. Elim Christian Children Home (ECCH) (Seat capacity is 50).

This boarding house is both for boys and girls with separate accommodation. Warden of the ECCH should be the staff of Hamai English High School. It is run by Rev.H.Newmai, former Board Chairman, HEHS. It is located at the western side of Namraining Bazaar, Tamei-Tening road.

iii. Grace Liuchiw. (Seat capacity is 15)

Grace Liuchiw is meant only for girls who come from far-off places. It is run by Dr. Hunibou Newmai, Principal HEHS. It is located at the western side of Namraining Bazaar, Tamei-Tening road.

iv. Kids Home. (Seat capacity is 20)

This boarding is run by Mr & Mrs Ajengbou, Asst. Teacher, HEHS, for both boys and girls. It is located at the eastern side of Namraining Bazaar