FEGOCTA opposes abolition of Bengali Schools
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 08 2015 : Federation of Government College Teachers' Associations, Manipur (FEGOCTA) has opposed the Government's regressive act of abolishing the century old Bengali schools.

In a statement FEGOCTA said that this insensitive Government act during the examination is a big blow to the students.

It exposes the Government's indifference towards the Government schools and the absence of proper education policy in Manipur for decades.

It also raises fundamental questions about the Government's commitment and capacity to provide quality school education in the State, it said.

The reason for the abolition of the schools is to pave way for Ram Krishna Mission centre and school, it said while questioning if the Government has other hidden agenda including the privatization of the public land and property.

Ram Krishna Mission centre and school can be established anywhere and preferably in rural areas.

Despite being located at Babupara, Imphal which is just few meters away from the seats of highest political and bureaucratic powers in the State, the century old Bengali schools could not be saved.

One can imagine the conditions of the Government run educational institutes located in remote/hill areas.

The Govt policy has resulted to virtual death of the several Govt schools and mushrooming of private schools in every part of Manipur.

FEGOCTA has also demanded new progressive education policy to provide quality education to all sections of the society specially the poor and disadvantaged groups.

The school education is organically linked to higher education and the socio-economic change and political order.

Today's much underestimated Governments schools including Bengali schools were once packed with the students and teachers who have contributed to the development of education and transformation of Manipur.

Where have they gone now and who are responsible for this? The past and today's political leadership, bureaucrats, teachers, engineers, doctors, social workers, journalists etc in Manipur have been the products of the Government schools.

Some of them have done well in other parts of India and even in the world.

There has been failures to provide modern infrastructure, facilities, qualified and adequate teachers and non-teaching staff etc to the Government schools which are the modern temples, FEGOCTA said.

Ironically there are beautiful temples, churches, masjids etc in this 'poor' State along with huge Government funds for community halls, crematoriums, markets, roads, huge Govt buildings and for the security forces.

One possible reason is the false notion that education cannot win election and give power as in the case of construction and contract works.

There are serious flaws in the present school education and examination system, FEGOCTA pointed out.

Private schools in Manipur are not for charitable/philanthropic purposes.

Many private schools seem to focus on producing toppers as they attract more students and revenues/'profits'.

Reportedly some of the toppers with 85 pc and above fail to clear entrance tests for admissions to colleges in Manipur and not to mention their performance outside Manipur.

The large scale private coaching/tuition may be indication of no proper teaching learning and exploitation of the teachers with low salaries by many private schools.

Hundreds of children who studied outside Manipur do not find suitable opportunities in the State after their studies.

By abolishing older schools, blaming the Government schools and teachers and without proper regulation of private schools cannot bring quality education and promise great future.

Specific policy of preserving the century old or fifty years old schools should be made as they are matter of pride and heritage.

UGC recently granted 19 colleges heritage status across India for their improvement and upgradation.

The gradual decline of the Government schools are part of the larger process of Government and governance failures in Manipur including absence of public transport, inability to provide water supply and electricity, disturbing public health care system, failure to provide livelihood opportunities, enforce rule of law etc.

There is an urgent necessity to adopt and implement new progressive State education policy in tune with National policy, considering globalised era, defective education system and future society.

Establishment of an Advisory Committee consisting of eminent educationists, academicians and other stakeholders to study the present education system and to make recommendation should be the first step.

Increased budget allocation along with collective effort by the Govt, political class, civil societies etc can bring quantity and quality in education in all the areas including in the rural/hill areas.

It is high time that Manipur is made known for self-reliance and quality education, FEGOCTA said.

Comment