Govt schools in Khordak cut a sorry figure
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, September 12 2011: While substitute teachers have taken over the task of regular appointed teachers in most Government schools in Khordak Nongmaikhong area, the school buildings have deteriorated so much so that some of them are no better than pig sty or cowshed.

All these came to light during an inspection visit conducted by representatives of Democratic Stud0 ents' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) today.

At Sekmaijin Junior High School, the school authority could not provide an answer on the quantity of rice being received under Mid-Day Meal Scheme for the 165 students which it claimed to study in the school from class I to VIII.

The school authority said that it would get back after inquiring the matter with the ZEO concerned.

At the Government Primary Madrassa School of Phoubakchao Awang, the headmaster Angom Tiken showed a register indicating enrolment of 68 students in class I, 28 students in class II, 19 students in class III, 12 students in class IV and 11 students in class V.However, only a lone student identified as Saliha (9) d/o Abdul Salam of Phoubakchao was actually found studying in class IV .

Saliha disclosed that earlier there were 18 students in her class.

But she is the only student left now after the rest stopped coming.

Furthermore, Saliha disclosed that she has not received any school uniform supposed to be provided under SSA.

There are in all four teachers in Government Primary Madrasa School and there is no chowkidar.

It was learnt that the students get meal under Mid-Day Meal Scheme only for 15 days in a month.

At Laphupat Tera Government Primary School, there is only one regular appointed teacher identified as H Pramodini of Yaiskul Chingkham Leirak.

But she comes to the school only once or twice a week.

In her absence, one Ningthoujam Ranjana (26) w/o of N Rajkumar of Laphupat Tera Mayai Leikai takes the classes as substitute teacher.

Ranjana disclosed that there are 25 students from class I to V in the school and the classes for all of them are conducted in one common room as it is impossible for her to take all the five classes.

For her service as the substitute teacher, Ranjana gets Rs 1,500 per month from Pramodini.

Ranjana has been working as a substitute teacher in the said school since last year.

Ranjana said that Pramodini brought the rice for the Mid-Day meal scheme of the school and the food is provided to the students after being cooked by two cooks of the school.

Salam Robinson, joint secretary of Social Welfare Club, a local club, lamented that the Government has not posted adequate teachers in the school despite petitioning for the last 15 years.

As the lone teacher does not come to attend school regularly, the arrangement for Ranjana to work as substitute teacher has been made in the interest of the students, Robinson explained.

The school building of Laphupat Tera High School was found with no walls and the class rooms converted into cow sheds.

Pigs were also found rearing along the corridor of the school.

After the death of one Laishram Manaobi, who was the chowkidar of the school, five years ago, his three sons have been reportedly looking after the school.

There are 11 teachers on the pay roll of the school.

But with exception to six teachers, the rest are not said to be not regular in their attendance.

One Salam Gopen of Laphupat Tera Khunou, who is working in place of Salam Rajen showed an attendance register indicating enrolment of 27 students in class III, 24 students in class IV and 26 students in class V, 29 students in class VI, 23 students in class VII and 27 students in class VIII .

At Arong High School, which is supposed to have classes from I to 10, classes are being conducted only for 1 to VI presently.

There is only one Government appointed teacher identified as Moirangthem Kamala of Kumbi Bazar in the school.

But she too has not been regularly in their attendance.

Concerned over the fate of the school, Youth Union Club, Arong Development Association and Rural & Environment Welfare have been jointly roped in the service of 12 local volunteers for taking classes of the students in the school, said one L Amar, who is working as one such volunteers in the school.

Although the school is supposed to have classes from I to X, there are only five rooms and the school building is in dilapidated condition.

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