Imphal, February 01: Reiterating its demand for adequate posting of teachers at hill district schools and expedition of teacher rationalisation exercises, the All Tribal Students' union, Manipur (Atsum) has threatened to impose an economic blockade if the Government continues to undermine the issue.

Speaking to newspersons at Chingmeirong today, Atsum spokesman Joseph R Hmar urging for immediate attention to the problem of teacher shortages in the hill area schools said in case the Govt fails to to comply with their demands then economic blockade would be imposed on both the national highways from February 16 midnight for five days.

Expressing serious concern at the inordinate delay in teacher rationalisation exercise that may hamper the new academic session, the student body also demanded transparency in the exercise.

Joseph observed that due to lethargic approach to the rationalisation process most schools in the State are facing acute problems related to teaching staff shortages with uncertainty continuing to shadow the student community.

As per survey conducted by the Atsum volunteers in five district there are shortages of 408 Arts and Science graduate teachers in 75 high schools, he said.

Elaborating, the spokesman said out of 27 high schools in Churachandpur district alone 16 institutions are currently without head masters and out of 45 junior high schools head masters have not been appointed at 13 institutions.

Under such a prevailing situation, where there large scale absence of heads of institutions, aspiration for quality education is a far cry, lamented Joseph.

While desiring prompt action by the State authorities to redress the grievances of the student community, Atsum said that negligence by the Govt in the field of education in the hill districts is primarily responsible for the alarming drop in number of educated youths in the hill districts.

Asserting that Atsum will not relent until the despair of the students are acknowledged and immediate remedial action initiated, Joseph also pledged to highlight the students' woes at every possible forum.

Maintaining that expenditures incurred during surveys at the hill district school were borne by members/volunteers themselves, he also said no financial assistance were sought or taken from the Govt.In addition to failure to fill up void left due to utilisation of about 400 teachers by the Education (S) Department for activities related to Central sponsored scheme of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan lack of transparency in the matter has also denied information to the general on progress or implementation of the ambitious project, he charged.

Contending that salaries of the 400 teachers engaged in SSA project works are borne by the Education Department, Joseph questioned where funds meant for the project workers are being utilised while demanding disclosure of identity of the SSA project coordinator.

He also demanded clarification on cancellation of appointment of 135 school teachers effected for institutions under the district councils in June 2004 and flayed short-sighted policy pursued by the Government.

He also reiterated Atsum's stand of not to tolerate imposition of common text books through coercion by any Government or non-governmental organisation in hill district schools while asserting that the matter should be the prerogative of concerned authority of the institutions.

Joseph further appealed to the State authorities to take note of Atsum's demand for computerisation of education in 15 blocks of the hill districts.

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