ATSUM irked by flip flop stand of Education Minister
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network

Imphal, July 23 2014: The All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM), Muan Tombing group has been irked by the alleged flip-flop stand of the education minister of Manipur on the matter of contract lecturers' regularisation.

It said the Manipur education minister's statement amounts to backtracking while answering the queries posed in the legislative assembly wherein he stated that it was not possible for the Government of Manipur to regularise 717 contract lecturers.

It is a matter of shame and disgrace that the education minister who holds the most important portfolio had to backtrack from his previous assurance on regularisation of contract lecturers, ATSUM stated.

A part from the mutual understanding reached between the Government of Manipur and ATSUM on November 25, 2013 at the chief minister's chamber, the education minister had several meetings assured both the lecturers' association and ATSUM team that contractual lecturers would be regularised at the earliest.

"Whereas, considering the pressing need for regularisation of lecturers to fill up the acute shortage of teaching faculties and infrastructures in the hills, the Union sought an appointment from the education minister to address the grievances before the commencement of the academic session 2014-15.The education minister positively assured the ATSUM team that 717 contractual lecturers will be regularised within June 2014 .

He further said, 'The chief minister has agreed for regularization.

It is on the pipeline and most probably within June 2014.'" the ATSUM said.

The education minister's statement on the floor of the assembly on July 17, 2014 is contradictory and self defeating, ATSUM termed the development.

As a matter of fact, education sector should be given utmost priority due to the fact that the future of the state/nation solely lies in the hands of the younger generation and for that matter the culture of contractual appointment should be rooted out before the education system is doomed, the tribal student's by stated.

It is so frustrating that only contractual lecturers are manning the higher secondary students of class XI and XII with a meagre payment of few thousands lesser than the annual income of a chowkidar.

"Whereas, considering the status and generation of income, it is next to impossible to force the contractual lecturers to render their services with full dedication while they are not paid according to what they ought to get.

In this regard, attention is drawn from the chief minister and the CLP to review over this crucial issue before thousands of promising students' career are made to a doom," the tribal students' body also said.

ATSUM then said recruitment of armed forces or police in the state will not bring peace in the state.

"It is the educated youth that shapes the destiny of the nation.

Therefore, the chief minister and the education minister should stop buying time to deceive the tribal but initiate a drastic step to bring about quality education.

Any time from now, the Union will be launching any form of protest to achieve our goals," ATSUM said.

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