Paocham High School bearing brunt of neglect
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang

Ukhrul, April 04 2025: Regarded as one of the oldest schools in Ukhrul district, Paocham High School in Phungcham village has produced many prominent students and personalities from the Raphei area since its establishment in 1959 .

However, over the years, the school has faced prolonged neglect, resulting in a deplorable state.

Currently, the school building is in a dilapidated condition, rendering it unfit for conduct of normal classes.

"The classrooms lack doors and windows, the walls are crumbling, and there are visible cracks that make it unsafe for teaching, especially during the rainy season," stated Phungcham Katamnao Mayar Ngala Long (PKMNL) president Juneme Longleng.

Paocham High School bearing brunt of neglect

"It is sad to see one of the oldest and most reputable government high schools in the area in such a dilapidated condition, facing a severe shortage of teachers and poor infrastructure, which is not conducive to quality education," he rued.

According to Juneme, the number of sanctioned teaching posts at the school has also decreased over the years.

"In 2012, there were 28 sanctioned positions, which was reduced to 19 in 2015, and now only 15 posts remain," he continued, adding that only six teachers are currently in active service, including the headmistress in charge.

He also informed that there are no teachers for science and English subjects at the school.

The student leader then urged authorities concerned to appoint adequate staff, and look into the miserable state of the school infrastructure.

Juneme said that villagers from Phungcham, Paorei, and Varangalai have repeatedly apprised the authorities concerned about the dire conditions of the school.

"We have raised the issues of the school's deplorable conditions and acute teacher shortages with the authorities on numerous occasions," he related.

The school is the only government high school providing education to children from the three villages having 1,086 households with a population of 5,019 .

Phungcham village has 473 households with a population of 2,110, Paorei village has 522 households and a population of 2,581, and Varangalai has 91 households with a population of 328 .