The inaugural Program of “Certificate Course on Sign Language with specific reference to Nagaland Sign Language” took place on 28th October 2024 at the SCERT Conference Hall-1.
The program was chaired by Sr. Lecture SCERT Kohima, Daniel Thong Seb, where he gave a brief introduction and set the table for release of the Module developed by SCERT, Kohima and DBM, Dimapur. The module was released by Amongla Walling, Admin and Co-founder of DBM, Dimapur; Christina Walling, Principal, DBM, Dimapur; Kevirale-ü Kerhou, Director SCERT, Nagaland; Kerüüpfeü Rüpreo, Additional Director SCERT, Nagaland and Daniel Thong Seb, Sr. Lecture SCERT, Nagaland.
Director SCERT, Nagaland, Kevirale-ü Kerhou in her inaugural speech welcomed the international resource persons, Christina Walling, Principal DBM (Trainer), Rebecca (USA) DBM-International Team (Trainer), Jaireen (Sikkim) DBM-International Team (Trainer), Amongla Walling, Admin and co-founder DBM, Dimapur.
Kerhou also extended a warm welcome to the trainee officers from, NBSE, Samagrah Shiksha, SCERT, DIETs, Government Schools, Private Schools, and NGOs.
She further stated that the Deaf Biblical Ministry, Dimapur has contributed a lot in Sign Language. Over the years they have also worked with SCERT in several workshops but today will be a red-letter day as jointly with them we have developed a module and this will be used during the training. The certificate course in Sign Language with specific reference to Nagaland Sign Language is unique and one of the first of its kind so far. All the signs are contributed by the Deaf Community with DBM taking the lead role. Taking in cognition of the principle of the NEP 2020 where the local sign language is to be respected, we have jointly organized this course to popularize our local sign language, she said. Welcoming everyone present, she wished them a happy and fruitful stay.
Christina Walling, Principal, DBM, Dimapur, in her key note address expressed her gratitude towards SCERT, Nagaland for jointly organizing the program and assured that the present training will be a fruitful one. She stressed on the use of correct terms for addressing the deaf people and requested the trainees to be empathetic towards them and mentioned the sign language is very rich in expression, however for the certificate course the module will suffice.
Daniel Thong Seb, Sr. Lecture Head IE & ICT Cell, SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima explained about the strategy involved in this certificate course, starting with two days contact training followed with 15 days of assignment at inclusive schools where the trainees will perform their assignments. At the end of fifteen days the head of the school will certify their assignments by signing and giving their official seal for approval. This certificate with completed assignments will enable them to join another course on Master’s Level Sign Language and Interpreter. This certificate will also be one criteria to join the Master Trainer Course to be introduced later on.
Team of International trainers patiently did their best to help the trainees and said that it was a pleasant teaching and learning experience. They advised the trainees to keep on practicing to retain the new sign language which they have learned and hopped to see them at the Master Level Trainer and Interpreter course.
During the valedictory program Pekruzeto Kesiezie, Additional Director, SCERT, Nagaland, Kohima opined that he was impressed to see the trainees communicating in sign language and witnessed each representative of different institutes expressing their profound gratitude to the International trainers through Nagaland Sign Language.
Additional Director thanked the Trainers for the excellent job they have done and the trainees also for keeping up with his expectation. He further expressed his gratitude to the controlling officers for deputing officers and teachers from NBSE, Samagrah Shiksha, Government Schools, Private Schools, NGOs, officers from DIETs and SCERT.
(DIPR)
