Imphal, November 22: Highlighting the state of prevailing education system in the hill districts of Manipur, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has drawn the attention of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh towards lack of adequate infrastructures and other basic requirements in the hill schools.

In a memorandum presented to the Prime Minister, the students' body pointed out that there are more than 3000 post of teachers of all grades yet to be filled in these schools.

Teachers are also frequently transferred from the hill area to the valley, many times along with their posts, the memorandum further noted.

With regard to recruitment of teachers and other staff, the memorandum alleged that the State Government, inspite of being promulgated an order for reservation of 30 percent for SC and ST, the same has not been implemented.

This violation of reservation norm is being done through State Government machinery and amendments of the rules at will to suit the interest of certain section of the community, the memorandum charged.

Stating that the tribal people of the State have been demanding creation of a separate Central Hill University since 1998, so that they can avail certain educational facilities including research and scientific documentation of their history, customary laws, etc, the memorandum rued that rather than adhering to this demand, the Union Govt has now patronised the State-run Manipur University.

To redress the grievances of the tribal people, the students' body demanded that reservation policy of the State should be strictly followed with regard to recruitment of teaching and non-teaching staff and also in admission of students, strict instruction from the Union Government through University Grant Commission to abide by the guidelines and norms, establishment of back-up colleges with adequate infrastructures, setting up of one tribal hostel each in all the hill districts and establishment of State level institutions in all the districts as in Imphal valley.

In another memorandum submitted to Union Minister of Human Resource Development Arjun Singh, the students� body urged for taking prompt action to solve the crisis faced by the tribals in Manipur.

ZU memo: Zeliangrong Union, Tousem Zone submitted a memorandum containing a 7-point demand charter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his to the State.

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