'Class boycott will hurt state integrity'
Private schools demand deadlock resolved by Nov 19; classes to resume from Nov 20
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 15 2009: Founders, principals and teachers of private schools and guardians today resolved to reopen schools and resume class from November 20, setting a deadline to bring about an amicable solution between the agitating groups and the government by November 19 .

A public meeting held at Palace Compound here discussed the impact of the indefinite class boycott stir and cautioned that further continuation of the stir will hurt the integrity of Manipur.

The public meeting was organised by the All Manipur Recognized Private Schools' Welfare Association to discuss the impact of the stir launched by three student bodies-AMSU, MSF and KSA extending support to the agitation against July 23 incident at Khwairamband market spearheaded by the Apunba Lup.

Schools in most part of the valley areas have been remaining closed since the commencement of the stir from September 9 .

Government efforts to re-open and resume normal class from November 9 has had little response from the schools and students as suspected strike supporters went on a burning spree setting fire to schools that defied the boycott call.

Like other meetings held before on the same matter, today's meeting also resolved to reopen private schools from November 20 setting a deadline to bring an end to the impasse between the agitating groups and the government on or before November 19 .

Authorities of private schools, principals, headmasters, teachers, parents and guardians of students took part in the discussion which commenced from 10.30 am and went on till around 3 pm.

Those who spoke at the meeting revealed that the class boycott stir does not cover schools located in the hill districts and even in the remote corners of the valley districts.

Normal classes in all government as well as private schools in these areas are running as usual.

Teachers of private schools and guardians of students attending a public meeting that dwelt on the class boycott stir

It's worth mentioning here that most of the schools in Thoubal district are conducting class as usual.

Meanwhile, a large number of students have started applying for transfer certificates for seeking admission to schools located in the hill areas.

Many students hailing from the hill areas are reported to have already left Imphal for seeking admission to schools located in their respective villages.

Various speakers asserted that the conduct of normal classes in the hill schools is an indication that the class boycott stir can not affect normal classes there.

It means that any kind of stir that affects study of the students does not get support from the people in the hills.

So, the agitating student bodies should immediately suspend the class closure stir and pave the path to resume normal classes in schools, many speakers contended.

If the stir continues further, it will build up a wall among the people of the hills and the valley, most of the speakers at the meeting cautioned the agitating student bodies observing that it will in turn affect the integrity of the state.

Some speakers strongly criticised ministers and MLAs of not taking interest in solving the impasse as their children studying outside the state are not affected by the class boycott stir.

"�.

Their (ministers and MLAs) children are not study here.

So, they do not take care.

That is why the class boycott stir is still going on.

If they are concerns as representatives of the people, they should not remained silent but find a way to end the deadlock," a concern principal lamented.

A guardian, AK Sanaton said the prolong class boycott has put parents and guardian at hard to advise children to obey.

They have lost the reading habit.

They don't care of their normal study timing.

General secretary of the organising body, Ksh Japan while reading out the resolution of the meeting at the concluding part said that the stir not only affect the career of the students but also threw the private schools and school van service operators at the limit of woe.

For the last two months teachers of the private school are not paid.

School van operators could not collect career charges as service remained suspended.

Keeping all in mind, the meeting unanimously resolved to re-open and resume classes in private schools from coming November 20, he announced appealing all concerns not to give any disturbances while resuming the normal class.

The prolong class boycott stir has put students in the midst of stone as they are in the position of losing academic career as during this current academic calendar they got only 90 days in class even though minimum class to be attend for appearing exam is 160 as per the norms of the board of secretary education.