SUK to oversee Covid SOP adherence in schools
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, December 08 2021: Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK) has announced that it would be carrying out inspections of schools to assess how the Covid-19 SOP is being adhered to, and whether teachers of private schools are receiving their entitled monthly salary.

In a statement released by its general secretary Thingbaijam Tarun Khuman recounted that after remaining close for a long time due to the Covid-19 pandemic, schools in the state reopened from November 10 this year for students of Class IX and above.

However, as the pandemic is yet to be fully controlled, authorities of school/college/university cannot take the pandemic lightly.

Thus, the government needs to pay more attention on how physical classes are being conducted presently.

Additionally, the government and the school authorities should provide more awareness to the students regarding Covid-19 .

The statement continued: "As the number of Omicron variant cases continue to rise, there is concern that the new variant could severely impact the state compared to before.

Thus, the government needs to take up strict precautionary measures for people returning/entering the state to prevent the spread of the variant.

It would also be better to first monitor students from other states who are currently studying in Manipur and allow them to attend the physical classes" .

Urging all to be prudent in the matter, the students' body further urged the state government and authorities concerned to check whether the District Level Task Force Committee mentioned in the office memorandum for reopening of school/college/university are ensuring strict adherence of SOPs.

It also requested the authorities of school/college/university to follow the government SOP to the letter.

"Those who are running hostels/boarding should take the necessary precautionary measures and avoid stuffing 30-40 students in one room.

Private tuition/coaching centres should also avoid gathering all the students in one classroom.

School vans /buses could reduce the capacity of the students they are transporting.

Meanwhile, hostels/boarding, tuition/coaching centres, and school vans/buses should not make it difficult for the students and charge additional fees.

The state government should also take note of the present state of the education sector and help in moulding the students," it asserted.

Meanwhile, it is unfortunate to see founders/authorities of private schools looking down on the teachers in their respective schools.

The founders/authorities should do well to remember that their schools are recognised by the people all because of the teachers who are helping to guide the students, it maintained.

"If the school authorities are found to have collected the admission and monthly fees from students but refusing to pay the monthly salary to the teachers, they would be solely responsible for any action taken up against them.

The government should also ascertain whether the school authorities are following the protocols made for the teachers in the matter.

"If the school authorities are collecting 100 percent of the fees from students, then they should pay the exact amount of salary given to the teachers pre-Covid.

The school authorities should avoid "stealing the food" of the teachers or they will be responsible for any consequences resulting from failing to do so", the statement cautioned.

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