DESAM to expose rot in Education Department
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 21 2013: Urging the concerned authorities to immediately commence necessary development works for which Rs 400 crores had been sanctioned by HRD Ministry for up-gradation and establishment of schools in the state, Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has warned of lifting the lid over all the dirt politics in Education Department in case of dilly-dallying.

In a statement, Premchand Tongbram, Education and Academic Affairs Secretary of DESAM, pointed out that Union HRD Ministry had allocated the hefty amount in the 2011-2012 budget for up-gradation of 380 EGS Centres into primary schools and 158 primary schools into upper primary schools.

But none of the assigned works had been taken up as some SMDC members, Education Minister, contractors and others are in the fray to extract their share, thus, creating impediments in the utilisation of the fund.

Till today, the Department is still uncertain about the locations and measurements for construction of school buildings though the Central Government has okayed establishment and upgradation of schools in 2011-2012.Astonishing, the department had recruited teachers without having school buildings in September, 2012 and the teachers are receiving salary with no works.

Taking advantage of the situation, ZEOs are also collecting percentages from the salary of these teachers for not turning up at their virtual posting places, which existed only in papers, Premchand said.

Stating that it is a gross violation RTE Act and breach of rights of students to have free and compulsory education, the students' body warned to submit a detailed report directly to HRD Ministry and divulge all the dirty games being played by the state Education Department, if the Education Minister and other concerned officials failed to take up necessary steps for effective execution of the works within 10th August, 2013 .

Illustrating the criteria of forming SMDC for schools, the Education and Academic Affairs Secretary has warned pseudo SMDCs of non-existed schools not to create problems in the development of schools in different parts of the State.

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