KIMACS raises concern over JNV test
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 28 2021:
Kanglei Indigenous Martial Arts & Cultural Society (KIMACS) has voiced concern over the preparations being made to conduct the Class VI entrance examinations to JNV amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, KIMACS secretary (education) Malemnganba Takhellambam termed as unreasonable to hold the entrance examinations for 12 JNVs to test the 21,000 students who have registered for the same, especially amidst the pandemic and urged for rescheduling the examination to a later date.
Further urging the principals and authorities of the JNVs to stop the process, the secretary recounted that the date for the selection test was originally fixed on April 10 but later postponed to May 16.The Ministry of Education on July 21 again rescheduled the same to August 11.However, the Union government is only taking into account the Covid-19 situation in mainland India and not in other parts of the country.
Although Manipur did not have high number of cases in April compared to other states like Maharashtra, Delhi, Kerala, Uttarakhand, etc, the situation is drastically different now.
It is unthinkable to hold the selection test amidst the high positivity rate and ongoing curfew, he remarked.
"Furthermore, the students who are going to appear in the selection test are in the age group of 10-11 years, and not included in the vaccination category.
On top of this, the number of invigilators and staff to be utilised are high, with ratio of 1 invigilator for every 20 students.
Parents/guardians will also be present in nearby areas to wait for their wards.
As such, the situation is highly alarming and could potentially lead to further spread of the contagion.
The government has already cancelled the Class X and XII examinations, including written examinations for other exams.
Thus, it is highly unreasonable to hold the selection test", Malemnganba stated, while accusing some JNV principals of pushing for the examinations and risking the lives of young children so as to "show their devotion to their masters".
"For KIMACS, we believed that a stricter curfew/lockdown is the only way to take control of the pandemic.
Relaxing the restrictions will only worsen the situation and further increase the burden on the people who are already suffering from huge difficulties.
Thus, the authorities concerned should not make any decisions that could threaten the lives of the people," he stressed while adding that the government must not "add fuel to the fire" .