Students urge return to normal classes amid ongoing teacher's pen-down strike
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal/Bishnupur, July 23 2025: Amid the ongoing pen-down strike called by the Lecturers' Association of Manipur (LAM) 2018 Batch from July 21 to 26, students of Chaoyaima Higher Secondary School, Thoubal staged a protest demonstration today demanding resumption of normalclasses.

The strike, which aims to press for the release of pending salaries, has brought regular academic activities to a halt in many government schools.

A large number of students of Chaoyaima Hr Sec School, gathered outside the school campus, holding placards with messages such as "We want Education", "Don't violate Right to Education of students," "We want Learning", "Don't Use us as Weapon", "Resolve the Matter Immediately", etc were used by the students, reflecting the frustration and concerns of the students over the continued academic disruptions.

Maibam Rahaman, a student of Class XII Arts and Dolly Sharma of Class XI Science, appealed to both the Government and the agitating teachers to resolve the matter urgently so that normal classes could resume without further delay.

They express fears that the disruptions could severely affect their preparations for the upcoming COHSEM Class XI and XII examinations.

The students warned that if the Government fails to resolve the issue and persuade the teachers to return to duty by July 26, they would be forced to launch intensified agitation.

Vice Principal of the School, W Johny expressed deep concern, stating that the absence of teachers has severely disrupted the schools' functioning with 11 teachers of the school taking part in the agitation.

He urged the Government to intervene swiftly to bring both sides to a resolution.

Meanwhile, students of Moirang Multipurpose Higher Secondary School also staged a protest in front of the school gate, demanding an end to the pen-down strike.

They echoed similar sentiments, expressing their right to education and fear of syllabus backlogs.

A student of the school noted that the pen-down strike had infringed on their right to education during a crucial academic period.

She stated that many students, especially from financially weaker backgrounds, are unable to afford private tuition and rely entirely on teachers for exam preparation.

The ongoing strike has thus left them at a significant disadvantage.

The students have urged the Government to understand their plight and take immediate steps to meet the genuine demands of the teachers, thereby ensuring that academic sessions resume smoothly.

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