School Toilets in Jiribam
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: November 12, 2014 -

Toilets play a big role in the overall sanitation of the country. Schools must have toilets separately for boys and girls.

Prime Minister Narandra Modi has stressed the importance of ‘Toilets’ in the development of the country, with his target being ‘every household must have a toilet by 2019 when the nation celebrates the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation’.

Gandhiji devoted his life for cleanliness, both physically and morally. To ensure proper sanitation in the nook and corner of the country is a ‘befitting tribute’ to the Mahatma.

Amidst the articulating importance stressed on the mandatory and proper maintenance of toilet in every establishment, the news revealing fraudulent withdrawal of funds for toilet construction without effecting works is embarrassing indeed.

The students body, Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), Jiribam recently conducted an inspection to see whether the 9 primary and upper schools schools under Jiribam sub-division for which an amount of Rs. 45 thousand each has been allotted for toilet construction have proper toilet facilities.

In the survey, the students’ body found out no proper toilet facility in these schools.

Some have been constructed but kept incomplete, while in others, no work has been witnessed.

More irresponsibility of the controlling office namely the ZEO, Jiribam has been seen, as the officials at the ZEO Jiribam refused to give any comment on the matter of toilet construction.

It has been established by the student body that the sanctioned amount has been withdrawn by the contractors.

There is apprehension that the there might be connivance between contractors and officials of education office in Jiribam sub-division.

‘Education sector and corruption’ have long been in association in the state, even though the incumbent education minister of Manipur, since his tenure in the government, has tried his level best to streamline the sector for the future growth of the society.

Moreover, Jiribam sub-division, although it is in the jurisdiction of Imphal east, has long been known for neglect and indifference in almost all sectors.

Right from infrastructure development to the lack of teachers, doctors etc, the people of Jiribam have been having grievances of various kinds.

Now, if the allegations made by the KSA through the local newspapers are true, then it is most embarrassing on the part of the Education Department of Manipur to let its officials indulge maligning the education sector of the state.

The state government through its vigilance department must take immediate actions to punish the erring officers and contractors, if any.

Strict vigilance on the works of toilets construction will be a right tribute to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, as well as solidarity towards the nationwide sanitation drive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.