Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 30 2009:
It may sound strange but this a real story of a Govt High School of Jiribam where chappals/ sandals belonging to students were burnt by the school authority, reports our correspondent.
The school authority of Lalpani Govt High School has been seizing chappals/ sandals from students who came to school without shoes regardless of whether the parents could afford shoes or not.
Though the school authority has prescribed shoes, it remains a big question whether parents of this Govt High School who are economically very week can afford shoes or are they deliberately defying the school authority.
Talking about stringent disciplinary measures of the school authority regarding uniforms, one guardian observed the drastic and sudden action of the school authority is condemnable'.
Such stringent measure was never expected from a Govt school, particularly in Jiribam where majority of the people are highly backward economically, the guardian said.
Moreover, it was quite obvious that these parents poor parents are sending their children to Lalpani Govt High School as they cannot afford the luxury of private schools.
Confirming the report about seizing and burning chappals/sandals, Principal of the School, Abdul Hasim said that the new rule was enforced in consultation with parents and students union of the school so as to bring discipline in the school.
While visiting the school by this correspondent, some chappals seized from the students were seen in the staff room.
But one guardian contradicted the Principal saying that no prior information was given about the compulsion to wear shoes.
One girl student of X standard said that it looked very odd to put on shoes while wearing salwar and warrant kameez which is the prescribed uniform for girl students of the school.
Another girl student voiced her preference for shirt and skirt over salwar and kameez which according to her was more appropriate.
Commenting on the matter, one social activist of Jiribam said, it's very un fortunate on the part of the Government school to act so tough upon the poor students.