Stir speculations nix school reopening plan
- The People's Chronicle Editorial :: June 13, 2025 -

THANKS to the on-going ban on mobile internet data, the government's notification for resumption of normal classes with effect from Thursday did not materialised as speculations were rife that a massive rally would be taken out in protest against the detention of an Arambai Tenggol leader and security forces' plan to round up another prominent figure of the socio-cultural organisation which rose into prominence in the aftermath of the Kuki-Meetei conflict in May 2023.

For nearly two years since the outbreak of the violence there were intermittent disturbances to the education sector, especially in the valley districts, on account of agitation calls given by one civil society organisation after another and the restrictions/curfews imposed by the government on the ground of maintaining law and order.

However, with the imposition of President's Rule resulting in cessation of violence and semblance of normalcy returning to the state, educational institutions resumed normal academic chores only to be disrupted by the recent flash flood which affected some parts of Imphal East, Imphal West, Senapati and Bishnupur districts.

Even though the flood crisis occurred when almost all the schools were having the summer vacation, some schools and colleges located in areas unaffected by the flood continued normal classes.

With gradual improvement in the overall flood situation, school authorities resumed regular sessions or were preparing to restart academic activities but such a plan had to be shelved, yet again, after violence rocked the state's capital and outlaying districts aftermath of the arrest of five AT members, including its fighting commander Ashem Kanan, couple with the organisation announcing 10-day total shutdown, which fortunately was called off on the fourth day of the agitation.

The decision to end the shutdown with effect from Tuesday brought huge relief to the commoners as well as the government with the latter, which had extended the summer break with the apparent objective to keep the students away from the agitation and dilute the mass movement, even issuing orders a day later for reopening of all schools.

Notably, referring to favourable inputs received from officers concerned on the ground situation, district authorities of Imphal East and Imphal West notified that government, government-aided and private schools in the said districts shall re-open and resume normal functioning with effect from Thursday.

The notifications also directed ZEOs concerned, principals and headmasters of the respective school to take all necessary precautionary measures and ensure that appropriate measures, including safety and cleanliness of school premises, particularly in areas affected by the recent floods/rains, are taken up for the safe and smooth reopening of schools.

These notifications, however, were not complied with, at-least on the first day, with school authorities probably perceiving it wise to cancel the classes owing to apprehension that unwanted incidents might occur during the mass protest, which never happened apart from sit-in protests in isolated locations.

As the mass protest plan was spread by rumour mongers, there were strong possibility of negating such false rumours had the government authorities lifted the ban on mobile internet keeping in mind that there are now many social media influencers and groups that accord importance to preventing spread of misinformation.

Moreover, departments concerned could have reached out to the masses through their official social media platforms and prevented manipulation of the public by the rumour mongers.