KSO hosts CAUCUS 2013
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 09, 2013: CAUCUS 2013, the fourth academic programme of ATSUM hosted by Kuki Students' Organisation, Imphal was held today at Hotel Imphal with Education Minister M Okendra Singh gracing the event as the chief guest.

Pledging to make the office of Additional Director (Hills) an efficient and vibrant one, the Minister said relevant process in underway for setting up BEd institutions in each of the hill districts.

Further stating that Government is planning to set up Government polytechnics in every district, Okendra said sanction has been approved for construction of polytechnic buildings in Senapati and Bishnupur districts.

Conveying that the issue of education system in the hill areas figured prominently at a recent meeting of Education Ministers held in New Delhi, he also exuded confidence that the education system in the hill districts of Manipur is headed for appreciable improvement consequent to the implementation of RUSA programme in the State.

Stressing on the need for vocational training of students along with normal academic activities, Minister Okendra also assured to look into the demands of ATSUM.

Earlier, delivering the key note address ATSUM president Emboi Serto highlighted shortage of teachers, particularly for science and mathematics subjects, in the hill area educational institutions.

Pointing out that the shortage at present is about 179 science graduate and 452 arts graduate teachers, he wondered why the Government of Manipur cannot regularise teachers currently engaged on contract basis when service of adhoc employees could be regularised.

Conveying ATSUM's staunch opposition on the proposal that Meiteis be enlisted as Scheduled Tribe, Serto said the intention is neither based on history or emotional but political and economic.

Further stating that ATSUM is not against the border/security fencing undertaken by the Indian authority, he nevertheless decried division of tribal villages by man-made boundary.

The president also conveyed strong resentment against the State Government's opposition to the constitutional exercise of the Delimitation Commission of India on the three sub-divisions namely Mao-Maram, Paomata and Purul stating that the opposition tantamount to ignoring the feeling and opinions of the tribal people.

The day-long programme also had three discussion sessions on the topics - devolution of powers or greater autonomy in the hills: problems & options; Education: issues and challenges in the hills; and Peace - education with special reference to the tribal society.

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