Imphal, July 21 2009: To webcast programmes and activities being undertaken under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a website would be launched soon.

This was stated by Education Minister L Jayantakumar on the floor of the House during discussion of demands today.

Conceding that the education system has been plagued by anomalies and faulty practices for a long time, Jayantakumar claimed that rectification process has been going on.

Saying that plans are afoot to set up one model school in every district, the Education Minister said that he would look into the feasibility of establishing model schools at primary level too.

In-service teachers of elementary schools are being provided six months' training at DIET while pre-service teachers are imparted training for two years.

Spelling out other plans, the Education Minister said that efforts are on to increase the number of seats in the DM of Teacher Education to 200 .

Reorganisation of schools has been initiated in remote areas of the State to redress the problem of shortage of teachers, Jayantakumar added.

For hill districts, it would take some more time, said the Minister adding that the same process has been completed for Zone-I in the valley.

As the re-organisation process is yet to be completed, no schools have been merged or down-sized till date, the Minister clarified. With classes VII and VIII coming under the District Councils, in addition to classes I to VI, minute study is being carried out on the placements of the existing teachers.

To equip students aspiring for technical courses insitutions like IIT, five Higher Secondary Schools have been selected for extension of tele-education facility, asserted the Minister.

During the discussion of a demand pertaining to Panchayat, RD and PR Minister Allaudin Khan clarified that there is no question of handing over the areas under Panchayats at Charhajar to the District Council.

Noting that amounts meant for beneficiaries of Indira Awaz Yojna have been swindled by Pradhans, Allaudin Khan said that amounts for beneficiaries would be deposited in their personal accounts from next year, so that Pradhans cannot lay their hands on the money, meant for beneficiaries for construction of houses.

Tourism Minister TN Haokip noted that Tourism sector is still backward in Manipur.

Saying that efforts are on to develop tourist spots, TN Haokip said that 75 pc of the development work of Sadu Chiru tourist spot has been completed.

Plans are also afoot to develop Kaina tourist spot.

Informing the House that the Government has been working to withdraw Protected Area Permit (PAP) system, TN Haokip said that a tourism policy has been tabled in a Cabinet meeting.

The Department is also working on promoting health tourism after tying up RIMS with Shija Hospitals, TN Haokip claimed.

While discussing a demand for Art and Culture, Chief Minister O Ibobi assured that the Government would see the possibility of regularising staff of Art and Culture Department.

In the course of discussion of these several demands, opposition members Morung Makunga, Dr Ng Bijoy, Dr I Ibohalbi and RK Anand raised cut motions.

Opposition members asserted that central sponsored schemes launched by the Government of India in the field of education have not reached hill districts fully.

There is shortage of teachers for Science, Mathematics, Hindi and Manipuri in schools of hill districts.

Moreover, majority of the schools in hill districts are lacking adequate infrastructure.

They sought attention of the Government to direct ZEOs and DIs to look into these shortages and lapses.

Pointing out lack of transparency in the implementation of SSA, the opposition members observed that a large number of children are shying away from schools despite the provision of books and nutritional support.

After due deliberation, the House passed four demands pertaining to Education (Rs 480,14,07,000), Panchayat, (Rs 41,68,85,000) Art and Culture (Rs 18,60,00,000) and Tourism (Rs 12,67,20,000) .

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