School Management Development Committees (SMDCs) threatens to agitate
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 20 2012:
Demanding that the construction of new classrooms in the existing schools under SSA should be assigned to the respective School Management Development Committees (SMDCs) in accordance to the norms of SSA, SMDC, Chandel has threatened to go ahead with agitations if the government fails to comply with the demand.
Talking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Trimson Saka, President of SMDC, Chandel pointed out that according to the guidelines of SSA, it is clearly stated that the construction of new classroom buildings should be entrusted to the respective SMDC.
However, defying these guidelines, the state government is in the process of engaging the work in Chandel district to certain contractors.
This is very unfortunate and highly condemnable.
He demanded that the works should be assigned to the respective SMDCs.
If the government fails to comply with the demand by July 25, the Chandel Committee would be compelled to take recourse to all sorts of agitations.
He further informed that there are at present 46 school buildings to be constructed in Chandel district under SSA as a part of the Education Guarantee Scheme at an estimated cost of Rs 22 laks per school.
So, it is indeed unfortunate that the state government is planning to robe in some private contractors for said construction works.
If the government continues remain adamant to its stand, then the required land for construction of the school building, which is to be given by the village authority, would not be granted.
Saka also pointed out that Chandel is one of the most backward regions in the state.
In 2010, fifteen schools were constructed under SSA in Chandel.
Out of the total number of schools in the district, three schools were constructed by SMDC and the remaining under MDS.
The quality of the schools constructed by SMDC were maintained and completed in time.
However, the schools constructed under MDS were not only poorly constructed, but were also not completed in time, he alleged.