RTE meaningless for Pangantabi UPS: DESAM
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, May 23 2022:
Though the Right to Education Act (RTE) advocates free and compulsory education to all in the age group of 6-14 years, students of Pangantabi Upper Primary School are not been able to avail proper education, which is their rights, due to shortage of teachers.
In view of the pathetic situation, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has urged the government and authorities concerned to look into the matter and post the required teachers without any further delay.
Speaking to media persons at the school, DESAM secretary general M Somorjit Luwang contended that students in different parts of the state continue to be deprived of.
their basic rights to universal education due to inadequacies of teaching staff and basic infrastructures in most government schools.
While pointing out that Pangaltabi Upper Primary School is the only government school offering classes up to VIII standard in the village, he said that the school has 54 students.
He also revealed that students from neighbouring villages who came for admission to the school in the current academic session were not entertained due to shortage of teachers.
According to the rules of the government, an upper primary school should have at least eight teachers contrary to which there are only three teachers in the said school.
Out of the three teachers, one is on 'utilisation', Somorjit maintained, while adding that the teachers have been taking class by clubbing two standards.
While stating that in such a situation the school cannot be expected to produce meritorious students, he asserted and also contended that administrative oversight is making the students suffer for no fault of theirs.
As such the government should send the required teachers to the school and ensure proper education of the students, demanded the secretary general.
The press conference was also attended by members of DESAM, parents, guardians and representatives of local clubs and local bodies.