'Fees' tag on Siroy Govt school
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, November 22 2011: Even though Siroy Government High School does not collect admission or tuition fees as such, the school authority has been collecting Rs 500 from each student every year for annual events like Children's Day, Sports Meet and Teachers' Day.

Erstwhile Siroy Junior High School located at picturesque Siroy village, about 11 Kms away from Ukhrul district headquarters was upgraded to the level of a High School in July this year.

The local people were euphoric when the Junior High School was upgraded to a High School and poor parents breathed a sigh of relief hoping that they would not need to pay admission fees from this year onward.

However, contrary to the expectations of the parents, the school authority collected Rs 500 from each student at the time of admission for annual events like Teachers' Day, Children's Day, Sports Meet etc, said Siroy village headman Akhui Wungzek.

The parents wanted the school authority to reimburse the amounts collected from students.

They have been questioning as to why Rs 500 was collected from each student when the Government has promised free education to each and every child.

In terms of infrastructure, the school has only eight rooms even after it has been upgraded to the level of a High School.

Moreover, no one has been posted at Siroy High School as its Headmaster.

School Education Department has provided text books, bags and uniforms to students of the school who number around 200 .

It is reported that the text books provided by Education Department was for English subject only.

Text books for other subjects were bought by the students themselves.

Moreover, school uniforms provided by the department did not include shoes and socks.

The school did not receive any blackboard, chalks and sports materials from the department.

In view of the shortage of these materials, the village authority has made five blackboards using sand and cement, and handed them over to the school authority, informed Akhui Wungzek.

He further informed that the school is facing shortage of teachers.

Though the school would have classes up to IX standard next year, there are only seven teachers at present.

In view of this acute shortage of teachers, two private teachers have been hired at monthly remuneration of Rs 2000 each, said the village headman.

Remuneration for the hired teachers are being paid after combining the money obtained from selling off rice given under Mid-Day Meal Scheme, MGNREGS wages of villagers who have left the village with job cards and selling timber, disclosed Akhui Wungzek.

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