Schools reopon after two months, attendance 20-30 pc
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 05 2023: Subsequent to the state government order for resumption of class from I to VIII standard in the strife-torn state, students had the opportunity to attend normal classes on Wednesday though the attendance was only about 20-30 percent on the first day.

The low attendance is attributed to fear of parents over safety of their children amid the prevailing tension and threat perception in the state.

Speaking to this daily, some of the parents expressed apprehension about occurrence of unwanted incidents and disclosed not to send their children to school till the government amicably resolves the crisis.

They also expressed apprehension that unruly elements might use children as tools to get their illegitimate demands and suggested that the government relax the ban on internet to facilitate conduct of online classes as done during the COVID pandemic.

Schools reopon after two months, attendance 20-30 pc

Meanwhile, as part of the initiative taken up by the government to resume classes, a team led by education (s) director L Nandakumar inspected Moirangkhom Junior High school, Keishamthong High school, The Eastern Ideal High School Akam-pat, Wangkhei High school, Uripok Tondonsana High school and Budhi-manjuri High school, Tera and took record of the attendance of students.

According to the director, the attendance rate on the first day hovered around the 20-30 percent mark.

He, however, exuded confidence that the attendance rate would increase in the coming days.

He also informed that of the 12,032 displaced students taking shelter in 336 relief camps across the state, a total of 8267 students (68.7%) have been enrolled in different schools located in the vicinity of the relief camps.

A nodal officer has also been appointed to look into the issues of the displaced students.

Notebooks and textbooks for the first phase have been distributed and remaining items including uniforms will be made available to the students shortly, assured the director.

Nandakumar also stated that resumption of normal classes in 4,617 schools across the state will not be applicable to 96 schools as they are currently being used as relief camps.

Special arrangements for these schools will be made very soon.

On the first day, a total of 4521 schools for classes 1 to 8 reopened with sub par attendance of students, which an education department official attributed to violence-related issues, transportation and fear among parents and children.

Meanwhile, of the 96 schools which remained closed as relief camps for the displaced people were set up in the premises, the highest number of schools at 41 are in Churachandpur district, followed by 17 in Bishnupur, 10 in Kakch-ing, eight each in Kangpokpi and Imphal East, four each in Ukhrul and Tengnoupal, and two each in Imphal West and Thoubal.

The government had earlier decided to reopen the schools on June 21 and July 1, but it could not.

Over 50,000 people of different communities are taking shelter in over 350 relief camps across the state after the ethnic violence broke out.

The conflict has so far killed some 150 people and injured over 500 others, while large number of properties, including houses, shops and vehicles have also been destroyed.

churachandpur: Schools in the district remained closed despite the government's notification of re-opening schools across the state.

According to Joint Students' Body (JSB) spokesperson Samuel Taithul, Churachandpur District Private School Association (CDPSA) and JSB examined the prevailing situation and decided not to open the schools.

Stringent actions would be initiated against those schools defying the decision of JSB and CDPSA, Samuel cautioned.

bishnupur: Despite the state government's order, schools in Bishnupur district located along the foothills and schools where different communities study including Catholic Schools, JNV and Kendriya Vidyalaya remained closed.

However, schools in the plains were opened though attendance students was very low.

kakching: Educational institutions mainly private schools in Kakching showed mod erate attendance rate.

Though majority of the displaced students at relief camps are enrolled in nearby schools, hardly one or two students attended classes.

Nevertheless, the attendance rate is expected to improve in the coming days after uniforms and books are made available to the students.