Situation not right to reopen schools: KSO-SH
Source: Chronicle News Service

Kangpokpi, July 05 2023: Although the state government has decided to reopen schools in the state, it seems there is no feasibility for the same in Kangpokpi district as most of the schools are being used as relief camps.

However, some private schools in the district have reportedly resumed classes with mixed responses from various sections of the people.

While vehemently opposing the reopening of schools, KSO Sadar Hills Education secretary Abraham Haokip said that out of the official 60 plus relief centres in the district, most of them are government schools and it is not really feasible to reopen the schools.

Thousands of internally displaced people including more than 4000 displaced students are sheltered in these relief camps.

Abraham further said that when lawlessness still prevails in the state even after 62 days, the decision to reopen schools is just another drama of Chief Minister N Biren Singh and his government to impose forceful normalcy so that they can answer to the Supreme Court that peace and normalcy has been restored.

The secretary also pointed out that despite setting up buffer zones, tribal villag es are under attack almost every day from armed miscreants, the most recent attack being on Wednesday morning at Phaileng village, Kangpokpi.

He continued: "Meitei's schools can be open for education as the tribals do not attack Meetei villages, but our tribal villages are being under attack almost every day.

Thus, the question arises on how the schools are to reopen amid such a situation.

Schools will re-open once the attacks stops.

We also urge the government to book the leaders of Ar-ambai Tenggol and Meetei Leepun .

Abraham then said that tribals cannot trust the CM of Manipur anymore and the state government as a whole, as their claim of peace in the state is just a drama to please the centre and mislead the general public of other states.

Therefore, it is not really, in any way, feasible to reopen schools at this juncture, he said and instructed ay schools in Sadar Hills area notto resume classes until the Meitei stop their attacks, and the student community is out of fear.

He also urged CM Biren and his government not to just give orders without knowing the ground reality of the difficulties the tribal are facing.

Meanwhile, Keithelmanbi Government High School headmaster Seikholen Sing-sit pointed out that though the government's policy and initiative to reopen schools is appreciated, it is not really feasible.

Keithelmanbi Government High School alone is sheltering more than SOO displaced people and even the headmaster's office is being used as a store room.

Additionally, parents do not consider the prevailing situation as the right time to reopen the schools.

Seikholen continued that the ratio of students and teachers will also be not ideal as the student ratio will spike with the enrolment of displaced students, while adding that more than 200 displaced students have been enrolled in his school alone with only ten teachers available at present.

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