DESAM claims disorder in city schools
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 08 2012:
Contrary to frequent assertions by the Education Minister that the State's education system would be revamped through pro-active measures, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) alleged continuous widespread irregularities in Government educational institutions.
Speaking to newspersons at its Keishampat office today, DESAM vice president M Angamba informed that inspection of schools located at Uripok and Sagolband assembly constituencies was conducted recently in continuation of the student body's campaign launched last year to promote quality education in the State.
Inspection teams of DESAM reportedly covered a total of 29 Government schools in these assembly segments during which only 165 teachers out of the total strength of 207 were found to have conducted classes.
Moreover, report submitted to the ZEO concerned indicated a total of 741 students enrolled in these schools contrary to which many of these schools were found to be deserted during the course of the inspection, claimed Angamba who also accounted 262 benches and desks for the said schools.
|
Among the 207 teachers only 87 were found to have completed BEd course with records suggesting that only 364 uniforms have been provided to the students which only confirms that either the number of students is cooked up figure or school authorities are hand in glove with Department officials in misusing the fund allocation, opined the vice president.
While in some schools no less than 15 teachers were found present with no students in sight, the DESAM inspection teams reportedly came across a particular school where two classes were being conducted in a single classroom, he maintained.
Expressing that Government schools unable to compete with the private educational centres is due to the failure of the authorities concerned to fix student-teacher ration, he also asserted that lack of basic infrastructure and tell-tale signs of unhygienic school environment are some of the factors for the Government schools lagging far behind.
Regretting that the Right to Education Act has been diluted in the State as implementing officials seldom take into account the ground reality, Angamba pointed out that without ensuring teaching or learning materials, non provision of uniforms or cashing in on the fund meant for mid-day meal scheme expecting Government schools to contribute towards quality education in Manipur will remain a far-fetched dream.
Conveying that Department authorities need to realise their duty and responsibility in moulding the future generation, he also noted that if the educational scenario in the capital city is in such shambles the condition would be even worse in the rural areas.