The culture of 'Micro-notes'
A decay of the education system in Manipur

Maisnam Susmina *

Students appearing for HSLC, Class X Examination in Imphal in February 2025s :: Pix - Derick Khuman

Sociologists view society as a delicate, interconnected web, where each component is vital to maintaining equilibrium. When one part is disrupted or destroyed, the ripple effects are profound, threatening to destabilize the entire social ecosystem and undermine its normal functioning. The socio-political turmoil in Manipur has shattered the State's social equilibrium, risking the very fabric of its social order.

This instability has crippled vital social institutions which are essential for nurturing and empowering society. The outbreak of ethnic tension in Manipur since May 3, 2023, has cast a shadow of uncertainty over the State and also has far-reaching consequences in its education system.

Despite the enactment of The Manipur Prevention of Malpractices in Higher Secondary Leaving Certificate and Higher Secondary Examination Act on March 13, 2024, to penal provision for malpractices in the examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur and Council of Higher Secondary Education Manipur, a large number of 'micro-notes' has been seized recently.

These have laid a disturbing trend, exposing the rampant use of unfair means and casting a shadow on the State's education system. This phenomenon is a symptom of a more profound cultural shift where genuine learning and deep knowledge have been sidelined.

It degrades the purpose of education and compromises the development of engaged, informed and responsible citizens, questioning the very foundation of the quality and credibility of education. Thus, it is necessary to document how the education system in Manipur is programmed and how the parts and systems in our society operate to cause variations to meet needs.

Disrupted Academic Calendar

The volatile reality of Manipur has profoundly challenged the education system in Manipur. Throughout history, the student community in Manipur has organized themselves for political and social action that has significantly contributed a dauntless account to its political history.

They emerge as an agent that drives the State's social and political change through mass protests and agitation and often escalate into violent outbursts fueled by intense anger and frustration, which have devastating consequences.

In the ongoing ethnic tension, the student community also stands at the forefront of pressuring the Government for a more prominent people's interest, ie, safeguarding the integrity of Manipur. As a result, the Government often decides to close down schools and colleges in areas that are likely to escalate the clashes and pose security threats.

The shutdown of schools and colleges has challenged the education system in Manipur, with a mere 116 working days available to cover the entire syllabus of higher secondary education, as highlighted by a private school administration, which can have long-term negative consequences for students' academic performance. Moreover, these situations are even worse in Government schools.

This leads to disrupting the academic calendar in various schools and colleges, compressing teaching schedules and compromising the quality and depth of instruction, where teachers are in a hurry to complete the syllabus, ultimately impacting student learning outcomes.

The Ripple Effect

The proliferation of 'micro-notes' can also be seen as a disturbing consequence of the twenty-two months of ethnic tension and can be linked to broader social unrest. The State's failure has far-reaching implications, as evident in the erosion of integrity across various social institutions.

The inability of the State to maintain peace and harmony has created a ripple effect, contributing to the breakdown of values among the parents, students and teachers. Values and beliefs once ingrained in the community have begun to erode. These are reflected in teachers outrageously compromising their professional ethics by leaking exam questions that undermine academic integrity and parents supporting them in unfair examinations.

A report published by UNFPA in the year 2006 stated that children exposed to violence may also become depressed and socially withdrawn, leading to lower schooling performance or leaving their studies prematurely.

This state of affairs can be seen in Manipur. The desire and enthusiasm to learn among young minds have been destroyed, leaving students feeling hopeless and disconnected from their educational pursuits. The distress experienced by the students has also had a profound impact, making it challenging to revive their enthusiasm to study.

The situation is worsening with the failure of the State and Central force to protect the villages in and around the buffer zone. Young school-going students in these areas engage as village volunteers to guard their villages, precluding them from attending school.

Jeebanlata Salam's book State, Civil Society and Right to Education, which was published in 2013, rightfully pointed out that the State has the primary responsibility to fulfil its duty to ensure all people possess the rights; thus, they must provide conditions that enable all children to access equitable quality education, as well as ensuring a reasonable standard of living for all. The violence and unrest have created a climate of fear, anxiety, distress and uncertainty among the people.

Quality Education: A way forward

A misguided notion has taken hold among some young students in Manipur, who refuse to acknowledge that their educations are a testament to their patriotism. In the name of the ongoing conflict, students should not make excuses to conduct online exams; parents, teachers and students should not promote the culture of 'micro-notes' as it undermines the true potential of our youth.

In Paul R Brass's Ethnicity and Nationalism, schools and colleges serve as gateways to prestigious career opportunities, which also have significant influence as instruments of social control. Those with high-quality education hold the key to preserving their cultural identity and distinctiveness, thereby maintaining their community's heritage and values. Their paramount role is to focus on quality education and critical thinking, for it is through knowledge and progress that they can shape a brighter future for Manipur.

By prioritizing their studies, they can acquire the skills and expertise needed to drive positive change, contribute to the state's economic growth and development, and become informed and engaged citizens capable of making a meaningful impact and honouring their heritage and culture by building a better future for Manipur.

Though the current conflict may seem devastating, it is crucial to acknowledge that peace will ultimately prevail, and when it does, both the Central and State Governments will bear equal responsibility for restoring harmony and ensuring that the rights and welfare of all citizens are protected and upheld. Moreover, students must stay focused on their education, for it is through knowledge and determination that we will rebuild Manipur.

To truly save Manipur, the patriotic enthusiasm of our young minds must be channelled into a quest for quality education. The anthems of our youth should echo with a commitment to academic excellence, for it is through knowledge and empowerment that we can build a brighter 'Sanaleibak'. Let not the mass infringing of examinations in a few districts of Manipur deteriorate the commitment to quality education.

Let us encourage our young minds to embrace their role as students and to recognize that true patriotism is not about abandoning their education but about using their knowledge and skills to build a stronger, more prosperous Manipur. Quality education demands a culture that upholds and prioritize societal values without which, no legal action can be truly effective.