Radhesyam moots regularisation of teachers

IMPHAL | Aug 12

Education labour and employment minister Th. Radheshyam presented incentive cash awards to successful students of HSLC, 2016-17 of Keisham Birjit High School(aided) on the occasion of observing the 7th death anniversary of  its founder Keisham Birjit Singh today at Patsoi. Sharing the dais with him were MLA A.K. Mirabai Devi.

The dignitaries along with the school authorities, staff and students paid floral tributes to the photo of Birjit Singh.

In his keynote address, teacher of the school, N. Tuleshwor Singh narrated the journey of the school from 1972  when it started functioning from scratch even without having adequate basic amenities like uniform and textbooks till the present situation when altogether 167 students are enrolled with enough graduate teachers to teach them. The school is right now running  with financial assistance from the government.

After analysing the pros and cons of the school, Radheshyam emphasised that there is a need to see to the loopholes of the school and find ways to solve the problems of inefficiency of the teachers to impart their maximum knowledge to the students with the current 1:13 teacher–student ratio. He also questioned that as per school records , the pass percentage is huge, 87-97 % in 2011-12 and why it has decreased now.

Giving a brief insight on the present education scenario in Manipur, he convinced that he will discuss with the state government and find a way to regularise the aided teachers taking note of the 4000 vacancies of teachers in different parts of Manipur including the rural areas. Keeping into consideration a balanced approach of both the welfare of the teachers as well as the students in perspective, he said that its a crucial matter deciding what will be a priority concern whether to look into the infrastructure first or welfare of the teachers or students adding that one way to regularise the teachers is amalgamation of 3 schools together.

He stated this after seeing the miserable condition of a school at Mao during his recent visit to attend tripartite talk with the UNC and Centre in which there are 28 students with no building and basic school facilities.

Focussing on the main objective of today’s event, he said, “The founder of the school, K. Birjit is a great personality with a big heart who cares for the poor and needy and main task is to identify talented students, groom encourage and inspire these young minds to become  leaders of tomorrow. The strategic location of the school on the outskirts-far away from the noises and hustles and bustles of the city is indeed an advantage for grooming the students in a proper academic environment.”

President of the function, Mirabai, as a first batch student of the school, shared her reminiscence of how there were no proper roads and benches and other infrastructure when she studied in the school in 1972.

She spoke about the role of education in developing human resources adding that students need to work hard to find a place in today’s competitive world of computer age and avoid unnecessary social involvement that could distract them from studies.

Sharing the good news  that Keisham Birjit High School(aided) is currently striving for conversion in spite of the financial constraints and pending Cabinet decision due to the Election Code of Conduct early this year, she appealed the minister to find quick measures to update and regularise the school.

She also initiated of starting a tution centre at the school where students will be taught on 3 subjects from September to December. “I will bear the cost of Rs. 30,000 per month for hiring 3/4 teachers for the purpose,” she said.

Radheshyam and Mirabai donated Rs. 10,000 each today for promoting the developmental activities of the school.