TODAY -

The plight of education in Manipur

Reimeingam Marchang *

Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) building in 2011
Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BSEM) building in 2011



Education is a means for knowledge and skill development, job, prosperity and welfare of the people. Investment on and development of it enhances economic growth, income and living standards. In the brighter side, the educational status of Manipur, despite of the various odds of poverty, social conflicts, economic underdevelopment, political issues and differences has remarkably developed.

As per Census of India 2011, Manipur is ahead in terms of literacy rate (7+ years of age) with 80 percent than the country with 74 percent. Females are still behind the males in terms of educational attainment in the state as in the country. A same situation is prevalent in both rural and urban areas. As expected literacy rates are higher in urban areas than rural areas due to better educational infrastructure and higher aspiration in urban areas.

In Manipur, majority of the literates (7+ years of age) with 59 percent have studied up to below secondary and the rest 41 percent are educated who have completed secondary and above education. Only 12 percent of the literates were graduates and above in the state that means there is one person in every ten persons (7+ years) who have studied graduation and above level of education.

Improvement of literacy rates are determined by increase of motivation and expectation of parents, reduction of poverty, improved of income, increase of government educational schemes and increase of school enrolment among other reasons. According to Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) the gross enrolment ratio of school education (class I-XII) was 102 percent during 2004-05 which has marginally decline to 95 percent during 2011-12 in Manipur.

However, it remains higher for the state for example by 10 percentage points than the country's ratio during the latter period. The ratio for higher education has substantially increased from 13 percent during 2004-05 to 30 percent during 2012-13 for Manipur. Higher educational enrolment ratio continues to be higher for the state for example by nine percentage points when compared to the national level during the latter period.

It is important to note that about 87 percent of the educational enrolments are contributed by school (class I-XII) and 13 percent by higher education in the state against 90 and 10 percent respectively for the country during 2012-13. Despite of the constitutional guarantee of right to education and various government programmes and schemes (like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan for elementary education, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan for secondary education and Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan for higher education) for educational development the drop-out rate has increased in the state.

For example the school (class I-X) dropout rate has increased from 54 percent during 2001-02 to 71 percent during 2011-12 in the state against the substantial declined for the country from 66 to 50 percent during the same period.

The increase of school dropout and decline of school enrolment ratio in the state are due to the lack of interest of students to pursue for education; heavy syllabus burden; teaching a knowledge that does not address students' needs; inaccessibility issues concerning distance and mode of transportation and its associating costs (time and money) particularly for lower income households; inadequate and ineffective implementation of educational rights and government schemes to promote education by the government; and slackness of the government.

In Manipur, based on MHRD and Census of India data, the rapid population growth has led to the growth of number of school (up to senior secondary) educational institutions by 0.57 percent from 4028 during 2001-02 to 4051 during 2010-11. However, increase of number of schools does not improve its availability for the people as each school was serving 538 people during 2001-02 but during the latter period each school has served 635 people. For India, it was 570 and 564 during the respective periods.

Further, the number of higher educational institutions has also increased by 62 percent from 53 during 2001-02 to 86 during 2012-13 which has improved the coverage of its for the people as each higher educational institution attends to 41000 people during 2001-02 but serves to 30000 during 2012-13 in the state. For the country, it was 93000 and 33000 during the respective periods. It shows that availability of school educational institutions is slightly poorer in the state than the country. It has resulted to slow down the school enrolment rate and raise the dropout rate in the state.

Moreover, an availability of higher educational institutions for the people is slightly better in the state when compared with the national average. Hence, the enrolment ratio in higher education appears higher for the state as compared to the country's figure. Data derived from MHRD and Reserve Bank of India shows that the share of expenditure on education from the state revenue budget has declined from about 19 percent during 2004-05 to 11 percent during 2012-13 in the state.

It has increased from 10 and 12 percent during the same period for India. Similarly, the proportion of educational expenditure to Gross State Domestic Product has also declined from 6.2 to 5.6 percent during the same period in the state. For the country, it has increased from 2.7 to 3.5 percent during the same period. It shows that, interestingly, Manipur expended more on education than the country. It has resulted to a higher enrolment in school and higher education and higher literacy rates in the state than the country.

In Manipur, despite of such educational development the plight of education remains detrimental as many educational institutions especially schools have inadequate infrastructures ranging from class rooms, staff office to teachers. Absenteeism and adoption of proxy (who usually are untrained and unqualified) teachers in many schools particularly in rural areas is widespread. It is usually accorded by the corrupt school headmasters on commission basis. This has adversely affected the performance of the students and the school.

Public have consistently appealed to develop educational infrastructure to the Government of Manipur. Also those who fought for 2017 Manipur state assembly election made headlines in various media by visiting the miserable conditions of schools at different locations. They promised to develop such schools if they win the election. The innocent people who wanted to develop schools in their proximity believe the candidate's false promises; consequently voted for such person and won the election but, ironically, never reappeared to develop the school.

Hence, today many schools particularly in rural areas remain no better than byre with few regular teachers teaching almost every subject by compulsion irrespective of their subject specialisation due to the dearth of teachers particularly in high schools. Government has not recruited high school teachers for decades and some of the existing teachers are also absentees or deputed or transferred to other state government offices. It is a self destructing, rather than building, mechanism for school educational system.

Higher educational institutions are insufficient to accommodate the growing demands in the state. It is partially addressed by the phenomenon of significant size of out-migration for education in which billions of rupees are remitted every month from the state. Thus, by developing higher educational institutions, if government has zeal, to meet the growing demands of it the state of Manipur can attract thousands of students and retain billions of rupees.


* Reimeingam Marchang wrote this article for The Sangai Express
This article was webcasted on May 12 , 2018.



* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.


LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025
  • SPONSORED ADS