Mokokchung, 23rd May 2026 (Nokinketer News): The 7th Asetkong Mungdang Yajen Aier Honorary Award and AKTM Excellency Award ceremony was held at Senden Salang, Süngratsü village, on Saturday, under the theme “Reinvigorating Teaching and Learning.”

In the HSSLC category, Tirmen Jamir of Little Star Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, who secured Top 3 in the Science stream with 95.20 percent, and Ungnir L Kichu of Lima Aier Higher Secondary School, Dimapur, who secured Top 8 in the Science stream with 92 percent, were among the awardees. In the HSLC category, Retina Jamir of Little Flower Higher Secondary School, Kohima, secured Top 16 with 95.33 percent.

The AKTM Excellency Award was presented to Tirmen Jamir, Ungnir L Kichu, and Retina Jamir in recognition of their outstanding performance in the NBSE examinations. Each recipient received Rs 10,000 and a certificate.

The Yajen Aier Award additionally honoured top-performing students from Tzükong schools. Limaonger of GHS Longjang received the Class 10 award with 73.33 percent, Aosanen of Clark Memorial Higher Secondary School, Impur, received the Class 9 award with 64.5 percent, and Sashimongla I Longkumer of GHS Longjang received the Class 8 award with 98.71 percent.

The Yajen Aier Honorary Award carries a cash prize of Rs 20,000 along with citations for students securing top positions in the HSLC and HSSLC examinations. The award also recognizes best-performing students from Asetkong schools in Classes 8, 9, and 10, besides honouring subject toppers and teachers from schools within the range.

Speaking at the event, Obangnener Jamir, NCS, EAC Kobulong, congratulated the awardees and acknowledged the contributions of teachers in shaping student achievements. He noted that top-performing students often face pressure and high expectations from parents, society, and teachers, but urged them not to compare themselves with others. Instead, he encouraged students to “compete within oneself every single day” and strive for continuous self-improvement. Jamir also appealed to parents to devote time to understanding the psychological and emotional well-being of their children, stressing the importance of paying attention to their mental state.

Expressing concern over the decline in enrolment in government schools across the Asetkong range, he attributed the situation to factors such as rural-to-urban migration and a declining population. He challenged the people of the range to work collectively towards strengthening government schools and producing toppers from within the government school system.

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