Schools closed amidst protests

FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRRESPONDENT

IMPHAL July 3: By an order issued on June 29 which was made available officially on July 2, the government of Manipur has abolished the Bengali Primay School and the Bengali High School located near the secretariat.

The abolition order was delivered to the school authorities on Thursday while the students were appearing for the half yearly exams.

Established in the year 1903, these schools have altogether 109 students for which there are 15 teachers.

Though the teachers and students protested the move and tried to march towards the State Assembly, police blocked their way.

Officials from the education department told The Sentinel that it is not viable at all to run schools with such a low number of students. The officials however added that, there will be no damage to the career of the students as they will be accommodated in the nearby schools.

However All Manipur Students’ Union has condemned the move of the government and said that the students should have been allowed to complete their examitions. The organization also demanded immediate revocation of the order.

It needs to be mentioned that the government has a policy to close down schools that have a low number of students. Under this policy Tombisaba Higher Secondary School was closed some years back.