Sawombung HS students launch protest
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 22 2013:
Accusing an assistant headmaster of unethical conduct and lacking commitment in the development of the institution, students of Sawombung High School (Imphal East) launched agitation from today along with asserting that class boycott stir would continue till the assistant headmaster has been transferred.
The Assistant headmaster namely Ng Joykumar denied the allegations.
Speaking to some reporters at the school gate today, where the students had gathered, after shutting the gate, to highlight their problems Sawombung High School Students' Union general secretary Kamei Luchalu contended that since arrival of the assistant headmaster in 2008 students are frequently asked to purchase cigarette, pan and other items of personal usage besides coming to the school in inebriated condition on many occasion.
in addition to collecting Rs 400 each as admission fee in classes VI to VIII, students have to pay Rs 20 for the admission form contrary to Government norms that only Rs 10 should be levied for it, informed the secretary who also highlighted that despite availability of computers students are yet to use them.
Moreover, teachers seldom report for duty and the toilets are kept locked compelling the students to either ease in the open or delay the inevitable till they return home, said the secretary.
It is also said that one Thingbaijam Biren was briefly deputed as the assistant headmaster while Joykumar was still present thus resulting in confusion until Joykumar ceased arrival after some days.
When Biren was in charge from February this year teachers use to report for duty on a regular basis in addition to the incumbent putting up various proposals with regard to infrastructure development of the school, the secretary maintained and informed that Biren was transferred from the school on August 12 consequently leading to the re-arrival of Joykumar in the same post.
Further conveying that the students are herded out from the school campus when they protested transfer of Biren, she asserted that the school shutdown and class boycott agitation will continue till a diligent assistant headmaster is deputed.
In another disclosure, the secretary contended that inspite of the issue highlighted to some students' organisations they showed no interest in addressing the problem as one Somokanta asked the students to withdraw the agitation and allow Joykumar to remain as the assistant headmaster failing which police would be informed to take necessary action.
Somokanta claimed to be an Imphal East representative of a students' body, Kamei informed.
Meanwhile, Ng Joykumar told the reporters that since reporting for duty in 2008 he never came to the school in inebriated state.
firmly dismissing the students' allegation of asking to fetch cigarette or pan and clarifying that computer classes cannot be conducted after the teacher left due to non payment of monthly entitlement, he also maintained that midday meals prepared by three cooks are being provided to the students atleast thrice a week.
There are 400 students and 16 teachers are present, Joykumar added.