Different closure timings dilemma for schools
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 01 2022:
In compliance with an order of the state government, government offices opened their doors from 9 am and many schools commenced classes at 8 am on Friday.
However, due to difference in the timing of the end of various classes, huge inconveniences were experienced.
In accordance with the decision taken by the state government after the BJP government came to power for the second term, employees of different government departments arrived at work/office by 9 am, while government and private schools commenced classes from 8am on Friday.
As per the notification of Education (S) Director, all government/aided/private school will conduct classes for pre-primary from 8am to 10am; primary (class I-V) from 8am to 12.30pm; upper primary (class VI-VIII) from 8am to 1.15 pm, and secondary and higher secondary (class IX-XII) from 8am to 2.15 pm.
However, the timing for ending classes is causing huge inconveniences.
Speaking to The People's Chronicle in this regard, a parent pointed out that the difference in the timing of ending the classes is not only inconveniencing the school authority, but also the school van service providers, parents/guardians and students.
Students of different classes/grades travel together in one van and as such, the service providers faced difficulty in dropping off the early slot of students from school and returning to pick up the remaining students, while trying to make it in time.
Thus, the service providers have stated that they will drop off all the students after the end of classes for the secondary and higher secondary group at around 2.15 pm.
Stating that it would be hard for the primary and upper primary students, who leave for school around 6.30am - 7am, to wait for the end of classes for secondary and higher secondary students till around 2.15 pm; the parent conveyed that parents/guardians have to come and collect the students whose classes ended early.
However, it is uncertain how long this temporary situation will last, the parent said, while appealing to the government to look into the matter at the earliest and come up with some kind of a system.
Meanwhile, Eastern Ideal High School, Khongman assistant teacher A Indubala, who came quite early to the school, told this daily that the School is one the many schools included under School Fagathansi Mission.
People, at one time, did not have much trust on government schools.
However, significant changes could be seen at present.
She continued that the school, which has pre-primary to Class X students, is complying with the government's order of commencing classes at 8am, adding that all the teachers reported to the school before 8am.She then appreciated the initiative taken up under the aegis of CM Biren, adding that this policy will be beneficial for the student community in the long term.
Regarding Eastern Ideal High School, Indubala informed that the school recorded a high enrolment this year.
However, the teachers are dissatisfied as the opportunity could not given to all those who tried to enrol at the school due to lack of necessary infrastructure.
She then appreciated Imphal East ZEO Zone-II Prem for addressing some issues of the school.
On the other hand, students of Eastern Ideal High School conveyed that previously, they reported to the school before 10 am, but now, they are reporting before 8am, which is somewhat exciting as they can focus on their studies while their mind and body are still fresh.