97 schools under Education Department untraceable
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 20 2013: In all 97 schools set up under School Education Department cannot be traced on account of false addresses.

This was stated by none other than Education Minister M Okendro on the floor of the House today.

Responding to queries put up by House Members during discussion of demands for Education Department, Okendro stated that School Management and Development Committees (SMDC) have been functioning as if they are doing contract works.

Informing that the Government is framing a rationalisation and transfer policy of teachers, Okendro sought continuous support of the House Members towards Government policies and programmes concerning the education sector.

It is being considered to table the teachers' transfer policy in a Cabinet meeting.

The policy is based on student-teacher ratio.

Some fake Headmasters were also discovered as the Sunderlal Committee worked for regularisation of ad-hoc employees of Education Department.

The Government is also considering to bring some aided schools under PPP model.

It is unfortunate that some people have been objecting to the Government's plan of converting Ramlal Paul Hr Sec school to a girls exclusive school in view of the growing number of students seeking admission in Government schools.

Okendro also sought attention of the House to invest 50 per cent of the MLA Local Area Development Funds of the 60 MLAs in developing schools.

Claiming that the number of students seeking enrolment in colleges has been rising, Okendro informed that the Government has been working to upgrade DM College to the level of a State university.

Private universities like Amity, Bharati have already conveyed their desire to set up universities in Manipur.

Chief Minister O Ibobi observed that SMDC's have been functioning like doing contract works.

Around 1000 school buildings constructed since 10 years back remain incomplete even today.

The demand discussion was participated by eight opposition MLAs and four MLAs from the ruling bench.

Later, a demand amounting to Rs 821,91,88,000 was passed for Education Department.

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