School students storm State Secretariat
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 08 2015 : A large number of students from Ithai Khunou High School stormed the Manipur Secretariat North Block demanding intervention from the State Govt to save the school from extinction as the number of teachers has decreased drastically crippling normal functioning of the school.

Students led by Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur DESAM carried out a mass rally from Nupilan Complex and stormed the Secretariat.

Students overpowered the security personnel posted at the gate and entered the complex where a scuffle broke out between the students and security personnel posted in the area.

Later a group of protesters were allowed to meet the officials of Directorate of Education (S) to place their demands.

Meanwhile Education Minister M Okendro met the protesting students along with guardians and representatives of DESAM and local clubs of Ithai Khunou at Keishampat junction.

Students trying to barge into the State Secretariat

K Deban, a representative of Ithai Khunou stated that there are seven Government teachers teaching more than 650 students at Ithai Khunou High School.

Seeing the inconveniences faced by the teachers some private teachers were engaged in the school under the initiative of the local guardians and clubs, he added.

He informed the Education Minister that recently six teachers were transferred to the school but till today none of them have joined.

He stressed that the locals have previously urged the authority concerned of the State Government to look into the matter and placed an ultimatum that they would launch such protest.

He urged the authorities concerned to look into the matter and stated that the locals of Ithai Khunou would like to contribute their mite in bringing quality education in the State.

Assuring the students that the Education Department would do whatever it takes to provide all the necessary material which the school needs, Education Minister M Okendro said that within a week's time all their demands would be fulfilled.

He further stated that the Govt would do the needful to bring quality education in the State.

He added that those six teachers who have not yet reported for work after being transferred to the school should report by Wednesday or else departmental actions would be taken up against them.

Later he stated that such things would not have happened if the teachers were more responsible and dedicated to their works.

Vice-president of DESAM, A Thoithoi said that DESAM had earlier requested the Director of Education (S) to send the teachers at the earliest and asked the local MLA to intervene into the matter.

He alleged that all the AIs, DIs and ZEOs are engaged and more interested in various Central sponsored schemes under SSA and RMSA even though they should be looking after the welfare of various State run schools.