Class resumption: CM piles heat on Bishnupur MLAs
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 21 2009: Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has issued stringent instruction to MLAs of Bishnupur district to ensure resumption of normal classes in all Government and private schools located within the district in the next couple of days.

The Chief Minister hurriedly convened a meeting with MLAs of Bishnupur district this morning and made the same instruction.

One MLA belonging to Bishnupur district said to The Sangai Express that the Chief Minister conveyed deep concerned over the continued closure of schools even as the current year is closing and 2010 fast approaching.

Ibobi maintained that schools in other districts have resumed classes and that schools in only Bishnupur district have been still suspending classes because of the indefinite class boycott call.

The Chief Minister further pointed out that even schools located in the vicinity of police stations have not been re-opened.

Ibobi asked the MLAs to find out what teachers are yearning for.

He suggested deployment of security personnel in educational institutions so that normal classes can be resumed in case teachers fear that resumption of classes may result in acts of arson.

He asked the MLAs to ascertain the number of security personnel that would be required to guard educational institutions.

The MLA said that Bishnupur MLAs would be holding a meeting with Principals of schools located in Bishnupur district and representatives of Bishnupur District Teachers' Association to discuss about resumption of classes in the next two/three days.

Meanwhile, a reliable source said that MLA Prithiviraj of Moirang Assembly constituency has called on Principals and representatives of Bishnupur District Teachers' Association and initiated a move for a joint discussion towards resumption of normal classes.

Because of the class boycott, schools located alongside Tidim Road in Bishnupur district are unable to conduct normal classes till date.

A team of media persons who visited several schools located alongside Tidim Road in Bishnupur district today found classrooms and gates of most of these schools closed.

Despite the tought talk from the CM a school remians closed at Bishnupur

Teachers were also found not attending schools.

But in Ningthoukhong Sadar Patel Girls' High School, teachers were present in full strength but only two/three students were seen present at the school.

Thingnungei Phubala High School was found closed like Gokul High School located at Nachou.

Nambol Higher Secondary School, Nambol Collegiate High School, Utlou High School and Nambol Leirel Girls' High School were found opened but no classes were seen conducted.

In Imphal West district, TG Hr Sec School has resumed normal classes fully.

According to some teachers of the school, around 950 students out of 1000 enrolled in the school have started attending classes.

GP Women's College has also resumed normal classes in full uniform.

Though located in the heart of Imphal town, DM College of Arts and DM College of Science are yet to resume normal classes except for a few students attending class in secret wearing casual dresses.

Attendance at Johnstone Hr Sec School is also dismal.

Only 150 to 200 students are attending school as against 829 students enrolled in the school.

Similarly, out of 650 students admitted in CC Hr Sec School, only about 200 students have started attending classes.

Attendance percentage is higher at Keishamthong High School at 94 students out of 174 total.

Incidentally, Keishamthong High School has been converted into a model school.

Though many schools located in Imphal have re-opened, students studying in these schools but belonging to far off places have not started attending classes as yet.

Notably, the State Government issued an order a few days back directing school authorities to re-open and resume normal classes from today.