Threats and closure of Mission schools : Cabinet bats for security, some schools open for the day
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, April 21 2015 : The State Cabinet held a meeting this afternoon and deliberated on the report submitted by the Committee of Officers which was constituted to find out the facts and circumstances leading to the present stalemate over the closure of Catholic schools in Imphal valley.

After discussing the report at length, the Cabinet decided to provide proper and adequate security coverage to all the Catholic schools through the Home Department.

According to a press release issued by Education (S) Deputy Secretary H Mathang, all the Catholic schools which are now shut have been asked to re-open with effect from April 22 without fail in the interest of 17,000 students (approximately) studying in these schools.

The Directorate of Education may assist in mobilising parents' bodies and other relevant organisations towards this end.

Schools which do not re-open may be liable to cancellation of their affiliation to the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BoSEM) .

Similarly, van associations ferrying students to these schools have been directed to operate properly on all working/school days failing which their permits/licences issued by Transport Department would be liable for cancellation.

The Cabinet meeting decided to formulate a suitable set of rules/guidelines in consultation with Catholic Schools Society to govern the admission process in the Catholic Schools in the State.

To amend Manipur Education Code 1982 to make it in tune with provisions of RE and other recent developments and to take immediate necessary action to ensure normal functioning of Catholic Schools in Manipur, particularly in the valley area were some other resolutions adopted during the Cabinet meeting.

Meanwhile, after all the Catholic schools were made to re-open by various student organizations from yesterday, the number of students who appeared for class increased today.

Students turned up in large number to attend classes at Christ Jyoti English School located at Mantripukhri defying the threats imposed by a group.

Students and teaching staff also staged a sit in protest at the school premises demanding withdrawal of the threat by KCP (MC).

Earlier today, Little Flower School authority locked the entrance of the school out of apprehension.

Later volunteers of Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) forced the authority to open the school to resume normal class.

A sit in protest was also staged by the students requesting the school authority and the underground outfit to reconcile and bring a solution.

However, normal class could not resume at Nirmalabas High School as students turn out was negligibly low.

Principal of the school at the same time appealed to the student organizations and guardians to wait till a solution is brought about after consultation with the State Govt.She said that teaching and non teaching staff of the school have not turned up for duty due to apprehension.

A guardian of a student said that the State Govt should have done something before such matter affects the careers of many students.

Commenting on the bold step take up by DESAM, a volunteer stated that the underground outfit should consider the careers of many students studying in many Catholic institutions and remove such ban imposed on them.

He added that DESAM would take the responsibility to*guard the schools and requested guardians and parents to send their wards from tomorrow onwards.

DESAM also asked the van service providers of all the Catholic schools to continue their service from tomorrow.

On the other hand the Manipuri Students' Federation (MSF) has convened a meeting of the authorities concerned of Mission schools and others on April 22 at 11 am at its office to talk things over to settle the matter.

Media personnel too have been urged to cover the same.

Meanwhile, All Manipur Women Social Reformation and Development Nupi Samaj (AMWSRDNS), Apunba Manipur Kanba Ima Lup (AMKIL), All Manipur Tanuni Chingmi Apunba Lup (AMTCAL) and Ereipak Enat Chanura Loinasilon (EECHAL) in a joint press meet at Keishampat expressed their concern over the closure of Mission schools.

President of AMWSRDNS, Ramani said that both sides should consider the effects on the students due to the imposition of a ban on schools.

They collectively urged the State Govt to intervene and bring an amicable solution.

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