Resolve fees impasse: Student bodies
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 21 2020:
All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM), All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Kuki Students' Organization (KSO) have appealed the State Government to provide financial assistance to private schools so that the pending salaries of teachers could be paid by waiving off students' fees.
A joint press meet of the three student bodies was held today at ATSUM office located inside Adimjati Complex, Chingmeirong.
ATSUM general secretary Seiboi Haokip said that the tussle between the State Government and Hill Districts Private Schools Association, Manipur (HDPSAM) over the matter of waiving off school fees for several months and paying salaries for school teachers has entered almost a month.
He said, the tussle has also led to cancellation of both online and offline mode of classes in private schools in hill districts from today besides HDPSAM declaring that the school recognition would be given up.
Saying that HDPSAM's agitation has now adversely impacted the students, especially in hill districts, Seiboi went on to say that ATSUM, ANSAM and KSO will no longer remain silent on the long standing tussle between State Government and HDPSAM.
While urging both the State Government and HDPSAM to come out with an amicable solution at the earliest, the ANSAM general secretary said that both the parties involved in the tussle should now try to resolve the matter by stepping back from their positions/stand for the sake of the students.
The student leader appealed to the State Government to provide financial assistance to the private schools, opining that the ongoing tussle cannot be resolved if the State Government continues to act in the present manner.
The State Government must be aware that every section of the society have been adversely impacted economically and socially during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, he said.
He also appealed HDPSA to suspend their agitation for the sake of students.
The cut off mark for admission to class XI for ST category students and general category students in Government higher secondary schools and colleges in the State have been fixed at 69% and 70% respectively without much difference, Seiboi said while demanding the State Government to reduce the cut off marks for ST category students.
He added that students belonging to ST categories and who do not obtain 69% should be allowed to fill the reserved seats for ST category in case the number of ST students fulfilling the criteria/cut off marks cannot fully utilize the reserved seats for ST category.