TKS urges Government to facilitate opening of new academic session
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul, February 19 2021: The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong (TKS), in a statement issuedyesterday, has appealed to the Directorate of Education (S), to revoke the previous order and issue a new order to facilitate the opening of the new academic sessions at the earliest.

TKS stated that since the declaration of the State's first lockdown on March 14, 2020, about 340 school days, tallying roughly to 900 class hours from 150 full school days have been lost by the students.

These alarming numbers are a cause of worry among parents, students and the learning institutions, particularly in Ukhrul district.

Meanwhile, the closure of educational institutions have had a negative impact on the school-going students and youth in the community.

There has been a drastic increase in cases of substance abuse, and physical assaults among others.

The District Hospital (Ukhrul) recorded an increase of registered OST (Opioid Substitution Therapy) patients, an overall increase of 240% in 2020 as compared to 2019.More specifically, there is an increase of 516.7% in patients from 18 to 20 years, and 452.2% in patients of 21 to 25 years of age.

"But this is not the threat we are bracing against.

Rather, it is the unaccounted number of patients under 18 years who come seeking for OST and get turned away as OST cannot be administered to minors.

It is an obvious fact that the rise in the number is directly and indirectly related to the closure of educational institutions in the district," it added.

TKS continued that the valley-based community are well equipped to mitigate or compensate the impact of COVID-19 in the sphere of education.

However, the hill districts are left to fend for themselves with poorly equipped means and resources.

While on-line classes were substituted for off-line classes, the hill districts had no on-line facilities.

Adding to the woes is the inconsistent electricity and network connectivity that makes on-line learning almost impossible.

As per the Unlock 5.0 MHA's Orders of September 30, 2020, each State was entrusted with the responsibility and the flexibility regarding reopening of schools.

Instead, the Director of Education, Government of Manipur issued an order on January 20, 2021, directing all school authorities to immediately stop the admission process for new academic sessions under the pretext of maintaining a 'uniform academic calendar', it added.

"While we fully understand the precaution taken by the Government, we would like to draw the State Government's attention that Ukhrul district, in particular, is a green zone with zero active COVID-19 positive cases, and that all activities have returned to normal.

So, why are educational institutions still directed to further hold the admission process.

Should the children and youth be left unguarded and unprotected", it questioned.

The Tangkhul Katamnao Saklong urged all the educational institutions to be prepared with all necessary precautionary measures against COVID-19 in order to resume academic activities at the earliest.

TKS further mentioned that they shall no longer remain a mute spectator and delaying the opening of new academic sessions would not be in the best interest of the people.

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