"Abolition of Govt schools will affect quality education"
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 09 2022:
Manipur People's Democratic Front (MPDF) secretary Sapam Shamungou has remarked that the abolition of government schools will hinder the progress of bringing about quality education in the state.
Addressing media persons at Manipur Press Club, here, on Sunday, Shamungou stated that there can be no development, improvement and peace without education.
He pointed out that Articles 1 to 385 of the Constitution and Schedule 1 to 12 provide for good education, and emphasise the need for schools and colleges.
As such, he urged the government to review its order to abolish 237 government schools.
He then said that under Article 12A, the right to education is a constitutional right of the people and any violation of the same is against the Constitution.
According to the data of 1981, the total population was 14,20,953 and around 90 percent of the educational institutions were either government or aided (grant-in-aid) schools, primary schools, upper primary, junior high schools, higher secondary schools, etc.
Based on the above population ratio, the number of schools is also quite less.
If these were to be converted to government schools, they are at the risk of disappearing.
As per a compiled data, around 237 schools disappeared in 2019 alone.
If this situation were to continue, how the quality education is to be provided to the students from Class I to XII, he questioned.
Shamungou further said that around 70 percent of the people are poor.
The disparity in income and social status cannot help bring about an equal society, he contended, while remarking that the home tutor culture has turned the education system upside down in the society.
The government needs to oe aware of this issue, he added.