Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 10:
The second State level girl students' convention organized by SFI at Mass Hotel today resolved to make a joint effort in demanding benefits deemed for women citizens from the Government and take up steps for improving the condition of the girl student.
SFI founder member Nerpan, Prof Ksh Bimola and SFI president in charge Ibetombi were the chief guest, president and guest of honour of the convention.
In his speech, Nerpan charged that the Government has been neglecting the schools in the State.
This has evolved in the degradation of quality of education in the State.
Prof Bimola stated that female students face more difficulties than male students during their learning career.
Girl students hailing from poor families earn their own livelihood and pay for their studies at the same time.
All these aspects needs to be understood first if we are to work for the betterment of the women citizens, she said adding that women have been taking the pioneering role in the preservation of the culture and tradition of the State.
Ibetombi emphasized the role to be taken by women in the society and the outlined the demands of the SFI.
The demands include removing of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, revocation of the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO), checking atrocities committed to girl students, providing free education to girl students upto twelve standard, using 30 pc of the State Budget in education sector, constructing hostels for girls students hailing from minority communities and those coming from rural areas and checking the wrong portrayal of women in the print media.
The meeting also decided to hold discussions, rallies, and awareness programes emphasizing the role of women in society during the next two months.
It also agreed to begin an indefinite agitation against POTO from November 27.A two minute silence was also observed in honour of the June 18 victims.
More than 100 students hailing from different communities attended the meet.