Imphal, August 06: A day-long discussion session held at Kangla Hall here today has raised the demand for formulating an appropriate policy for aided schools in the State, by the Government.

The discussion session held on the theme 'Issues of Government Aided Schools' was organised by Democratic Students' Alliance of Manipur (DESAM).

Participating at the discussion session as one of the resource persons, former principal of DM College of Teachers' Education Dr Singam Gyaneswor Singh said that the Government and the teachers should seriously think over the recent decision of the State Government to cancel 171 Aided Schools which had been receiving grant-in-aid from the Government.

Grant-in-aid is given to the Government Aided Schools under some conditions like adequate enrolment of students, timely conduct of the examination by the school and high rate of pass percentage of students in school examinations as well as in examination conducted by the State Board and the grant-in-aid of those schools which do not live up to these expectations are likely to be cancelled.

However, cancelling the grant-in-aid of such non-performing schools is not the right approach.

Instead of that it would be imperative to find out and discuss why the performance of these schools are not up to the mark.

If the Government is really intend on giving no room for the non-performing schools, then there are many schools under the Government other than the aided schools which too need to be abolished, Dr Gyaneswor contended.

He said that the Government and the teachers should think over what is ailing the aided schools today.

The Government should have the will and sincerity for taking up this task and teachers should be imparted proper training.

The teachers should take up the teaching profession seriously and perform their duties with dedication.

Because education is one of the basic rights of the students, he explained.

General secretary of FECTA Th Ibopishak pointed out that though the system of grant-in-aid is appreciable, quality maintenance is something which is very difficult when the same system is put into practice.

Absence of a proper staff pattern, and even if there is unwillingness of the teachers to attend school and in some cases congregation of all the teachers or complete absence of teachers, lack of infrastructural development and failure of the Government to provide the grant-in-aid in time are some of numerous reasons that are responsible for the questionable performance of the aided schools, he observed.

However, cancelling the grant-in-aid of these schools based only on performance is not satisfactory and would not be the right step, he asserted.

Instead of that the Government should look into how the performance of these schools would improve along with formulating an appropriate policy, he suggested, while reminding that at one time the aided schools have produced many illustrious students.

Working president of All Manipur Students; Guardians' Organisation N Chaoba Singh pointed out that the number of approved teachers in the grant-in-aid schools is very few even as there is no provisions for imparting BEd training to the graduate teachers and DIET training to the undergraduate teachers.

Moreover, the Government has not take up any steps to encourage the teachers.

So, along with coming up with a suitable policy for the aided schools, there is the need to impart necessary training to the teachers and extend facilities like orientation training courses by the resource persons keeping in mind the changing curriculum and syllabus, Chaoba suggested.

Principal of Kanan Devi Memorial College of Education, Pangei S Tombi Singh was also among the resource persons who spoke during the discussion session attended by retired Commissioner of Education (S) Sougrakpam Kunjabihari Singh as moderator.

The inaugural function of the discussion session had been attended Vice Chancellor of Manipur University C Amuba and president of DESAM H Ashirjit as chief guest and president respectively.

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