A Story of Trial, Loss, and Resilience
Hermon Dew English Junior High School, Zairawn has a story marked not only by growth, but by hardship, sacrifice, and unwavering faith.
The school was originally established by the Zairawn ICI Local Church with a vision to provide quality education to the children of the area. However, over time, the school began to face serious financial and administrative challenges. Recognizing the need for stability and long-term sustainability, the local church formally requested the Education Department of the Independent Church of India (ICI) in November 2021 to take the school under its care and administration.
This matter was placed before the Executive Council. Through its resolution 161/17 (2021), the Council directed the Education Department to assume full responsibility for the school. Following this, the Education Board, in its sitting No. 278/3 (November 16, 2021), resolved to officially adopt and administer the school. Elder David L. Lungṭau, the then Chairman of the Education Board inaugurated the school in 2022.
From that point onward, Hermon Dew English Junior High School, Zairawn came under the direct administration of the Education Department of ICI.
While most schools under the Department are known as Standard English Schools, this institution retained its original name, as it had already been formally registered under it.
By 2023, the school had grown significantly, with nearly 400 students enrolled and supported by a team of qualified and dedicated teachers. It was a time of promise and progress.
Then came an unexpected and devastating turn.
The Manipur Crisis of 2023 forced the school to shut down for over a year. Just as hope began to rise and normalcy seemed within reach toward the end of 2024, the situation worsened. The area became a hotspot of unrest, and tragedy struck in its most painful form.
One of our beloved teachers, Ms. Zosangkim, lost her life.
Her loss was deeply felt—not only by the school but by the entire Education Department. It was a moment of grief that words can scarcely express.
Once again, the school was forced to close.
Students fled with their families, many taking refuge in Assam, scattered across different locations. Teachers too were displaced. In the chaos, school properties—printers, files, computers, and other essential materials—were hastily moved, many of them damaged in the process.
In this time of crisis, the Association of Good Shepherd Mission (AGSM) extended a helping hand. They generously sponsored two teachers to conduct tuition classes for displaced students at Hmarkhawlien. For nearly a year, these classes became a small but meaningful continuation of education for the students who could be reached.
Meanwhile, the school campus, including its buildings and offices, came under the occupation of security forces.
By the end of 2025, the situation began to stabilize, though without absolute assurance of safety. The question of reopening the school arose once again. The Board approached this decision with hesitation, deeply affected by the trauma experienced by the school community.
Yet, hope slowly returned.
Families began to return to Zairawn, and the village gradually came back to life. With prayer, courage, and faith in God, a decision was made.
In February 2026, Hermon Dew English Junior High School, Zairawn was reopened.
Special arrangements were made in coordination with the security forces stationed on the campus. Part of the school premises continues to be occupied by them, while the other part has been made functional for academic use.
Due to space limitations and safety considerations, the school has currently resumed classes from Nursery to Class VI. Despite these constraints, the school has regained its full teaching strength, with committed and qualified staff once again serving the students.
This is not just the story of a school.
It is a story of endurance, of a community that refused to give up, and of faith that continues to rebuild what was once broken.
