DESAM spells out ills afflicting education system
Source: Hueiyen News Service / Newmai News Network

Imphal, May 16 2012: "The present education scenario in the state of Manipur requires some drastic changes in both the organizational structure as well as the departmental administration", stated the Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) .

In a memorandum submitted to the Education Minister of Manipur, DESAM stated that it will extend its full and unconditional support to the task of reforming and developing education in the state, and requested the Education Minister to examine and consider the charter of demands enclosed in the memorandum so as to fulfill them within the shortest possible time in the interest of all concerned.

The memorandum stated that addressing all the areas stated in the charter of demands is a time consuming process requiring effort of all stakeholders of school education, and co-operation from DESAM, if required, would be extended without any condition towards achieving the stated objectives.

Saying that re-structuring or re-organizing the department of education initiated lately by the government is welcomed, the students' body feel that there will be requirement of better/more qualified/dedicated/eligible persons/officers to man the freshly restructured/reorganized set-ups in order to achieve a new education system; and it is therefore right time to identify the right persons for placing at right places.

"While exercises on re-organization of both the department as well as the existing institutions are going on in a holistic manner, we would like to request you to take a closer look on the existing team of officials taking care of the education department and to infuse young blood on the team if the need arises by replacing even the non-performing officials on priority basis in a time bound manner so that as and when the important exercises are completed, full thrust may be given to bring a new order of education in the state with a clear vision following a well laid road-map to achieve the stated targets/goals", stated the memorandum.

The DESAM appreciates the fact that the state government, from time to time, is continuing to give emphasis to some of the demands submitted earlier by them and even completed some of them which are of utmost public interest; but settlement/finalization of most of their concerns are still pending, said the students' body while expressing hope that with an enterprising and youthful minister at the helm of affairs, at least some of the pending issues would be taken up on priority basis in the near future.

Stating that the present education scenario in the state requires some drastic changes in both the organizational structure as well as departmental administration, the DESAM felt that the education minister may require to re-constitute a team comprising of committed and efficient officers starting from secretary/commissioner, specially the director and his/her subordinate officers at the directorate level, which will be directly responsible for taking up such an arduous task of streamlining the education department.

Requesting the Education Minister to take up the special task of forming a new team who will have a clear vision and initiative and drive to carry out its well defined task and responsibilities, DESAM said that full and unconditional support towards the new team will be extended so long as they did not deviate from their well laid and agreed task of reforming and developing education in the state.

The charter of demands included constitution of a holistic commission/committee to look into issues and problems of education to recommend ways and means to achieve a better education system; establishment of Manipur Education Services for recruitment of young and competent officials who will be well equipped to handle the various problems in the educational administration in the state; re-examination and re-designation of units/offices of the education department in the light of certain new developments like District Council Amendment Rules 2008; re-organization of schools and rationalization process concerning posting of employees; regularization of promotion; amendment of recruitment rules; control over private schools; orientation/training of teachers at regular intervals; introduction of Meetei Mayek in schools; preparation of a detailed database in respect of the employees of the department; streamlining the SCERT and establishment of Text Book Board; and ensuring the health of school students.

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