MSF appeals to Education Minister to visit Jiribam

JIRIBAM, April 5: Speaking at the press meet at its office, members of MSF Jiribam  after inspection of schools at Jiribam  said that contrary to reports of deterioration in the standard of the government schools at Imphal where teachers outnumber students, there are a large number of students at government schools at Jiribam sub division under Imphal East district while there is a lack of adequate number of teachers as a result of which, students are suffering. In view of the prevailing conditions the MSF district unit appealed to the Education Minister to save government schools at Jiribam by visiting and inspecting the schools.

During the inspection by the MSF team including the Vice President of MSF HQ and new executive members of MSF Jiribam  as part of 'Eikhoi Lairik Ningthina Tamshi', Schools from LP schools to High School at Jiribam were inspected. Of seven teachers of Dibong Govt Jr. H/S six teachers except the Head Master- Th Ibopishak Singh did not attend school beyond 10.30 a.m. and students were waiting for teachers, said Kh. Seraj Uddin, MSF HQ.

There are 108 students of which 71 are female and 37 are male and students of classes III, IV and V sitting  in a room. There were no desks, benches, black boards or toilets, he said. He questioned how SSA sanitation scheme was implemented at Jiribam. The second school which the team inspected was Islambada LP School which was found to be existing in name only. Nine teachers were teaching 335 students at Lalpani High School in which there were 87 students in class VI and 84 students in class VII who all taught in one room.

133 students were trying to sit on eight pairs of desks and benches. Eight teachers were teaching 513 students at Netaji Govt. High School. Teachers disclosed that RAMSA teachers were not posted. Though Borobekara High School was upgraded to the level of a Secondary School, it was in name only as a teacher appointed under RMSA was not seen after joining his post.