From Overcrowded Classrooms to Congested Streets
The Architectural Flaws in Manipur's Schools

M Sadanand Singh *

In recent years, the rapid proliferation of private schools in Manipur has created a complex mix of educational growth and urban challenges. While the presence of more schools theoretically enhances access to education, it also highlights significant gaps in planning, regulation, and infrastructure, particularly from an architectural and governmental perspective.

Unplanned Growth and Lack of Infrastructure

One of the most pressing issues with schools in Manipur is their unplanned establishment. Many schools lack basic infrastructure such as playgrounds and parking spaces. As a result, school buses and private vehicles often block roads during drop-off and pick-up times, causing severe traffic congestion in urban areas, particularly around Imphal. With insufficient parking space allocated within school compounds, the streets become makeshift parking zones, adding to the chaos.

Overcrowding in classrooms is another significant issue. Most schools in the state violate norms that regulate the number of students per class, often leading to compromised quality of education and overcrowded, unsafe environments. This problem is exacerbated by a lack of clear enforcement of laws about student limits in classrooms and overall site management.

Government Regulations and Their Implementation

Despite the existence of the Manipur Private School (Rules and Regulation) Act 2017, which was designed to regulate private schools, its implementation has been a challenge. The act includes guidelines for infrastructure, such as adequate space, sanitation facilities, and student limits per class. However, many private schools in Manipur have resisted the act, citing financial pressures and the inability to meet its stringent requirements without significant government support.

For instance, the All Manipur Recognized Private Schools’ Welfare Association has voiced strong opposition to the act, highlighting the lack of consultation and the financial strain on smaller schools. Many schools argue that they are unable to comply with the act's requirements for adequate facilities and teacher training due to economic demands, including extortion pressures (Imphal Free Press)

Traffic and Parking Issues

The absence of parking facilities in most schools creates severe traffic congestion during school hours. According to a statement by the Traffic Control Police Wing of Manipur, this issue is further exacerbated by the overcrowding of school buses, with many vehicles transporting more students than legally permitted.

In response, the Manipur Transport Department issued an advisory, emphasizing the enforcement of limits on student capacity in school vehicles. The advisory pointed out that vehicles belonging to schools must adhere to a 1.5x seating capacity limit to ensure safety and avoid accidents .

Teacher-student ratio/ number of Students per Classroom

In Manipur, the student-teacher ratio and the number of students per classroom are critical issues, particularly in private schools. The Manipur Private School (Rules and Regulation) Act 2017 outlines guidelines to maintain proper student-teacher ratios and restrict overcrowding in classrooms. However, these rules are often violated, leading to congested and ineffective learning environments.

Schools in the state typically exceed the recommended limits, with some classrooms housing more than 40-50 students, far surpassing the ideal student-teacher ratio of 30:1, as per the National Education Policy 2020 guidelines.

This overcrowding not only compromises educational quality but also raises concerns about safety and the overall learning environment. Many schools resist implementing these guidelines due to financial and logistical challenges

For more information on the resistance to government regulations in private schools, you can read the full report (Imphal Free Press) .

It also stipulates norms for infrastructure, including the number of students per classroom and the availability of playgrounds1. Not more than 30 students in a class, says New Education Policy.

The Way Forward

Addressing these challenges requires a multi-pronged approach that combines stricter enforcement of existing regulations with better urban planning. Schools must be required to allocate designated parking spaces and adhere to student limits in both classrooms and vehicles. Furthermore, the government should work more closely with private schools to ensure they can meet these requirements without undue financial strain.

In conclusion, while Manipur’s private school sector is growing, it also faces serious regulatory and infrastructural issues. Without proper architectural planning and enforcement of laws, the mushrooming of schools will continue to cause traffic problems, compromise student safety, and reduce the overall quality of education.

Clear collaboration between school management, the government, and urban planners is essential to ensure a sustainable educational environment.