Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, November 12 2009:
Expressing serious concern over the current educational crisis in the State, All Tribal Students' Union, Manipur (ATSUM) has called on the Government to be pro-active in handing with the crisis and come out with a clear line of action.
In statement, assistant secretary of the student body Robert Leivon said that the voice of despair and frustration is heard by ATSUM in the midst of this current confrontation of leaders of Manipur comprising so-called politicians and human rights champions.
ATSUM had run from pillars to posts in its own capacity to bring an end to this current impasse, especially to open the educational institution that have remained closed sine September 9, 2009 .
The suffering of the parents and the pain of the students, who are denied acquiring formal education will be mark in the minds and hearts of ATSUM.
ATSUM will give befitting reply to these self styled public leaders and champions of human rights and continued to work towards making education free, compulsory and excep-tional in the days to come.
Stating that the contributions of civil society organisations (CSOs) to the society are innumerable and undeniable, the statement pointed out that the importance of student organisations is also prominent.
In fact, no society can function without CSOs specially the student bodies.
Many a times, Government loses touches with the ground situation and contact with the grass root.
In such difficult situations, the CSOs and student bodies take up the cause of the people against the Government in the interest of the people.
The statement further pointed out that the current agitation was launch in the interest of the people with the people's support.
But today can we honestly say that the current class ban/ boycott be said to be in the interest of the people, by the people and for the people ?, ATSUM question, adding that it is time bring an end to the current agitation especially closing of educational institutions in the interest of tens of thousands of students.
The statement also said that ATSUM strongly condemned the burning of educational institutions and appealed to the people involved not to continue with line of action of burning schools.
While appealing to the Government to be pro-active in handling the current educational crisis and come out with a clear line of action, ATSUM said, that 'our stand is that the current academic session and calendar must not be compromised'.
The Government must take all measures to conduct all examinations on time.
Failing which the Government must take all responsibility for the repercussion.
The Government and the responsible department, board and university must come out with a clear dates for the examinations of the current academic year, ATSUM demanded.
Informing that ATSUM had done education survey of the five hill districts in the past thee months and most of the Government educational institutions in the hill districts have been covered, the statement disclosed that a detailed report will be produced and recommendation made.
In this regard, ATSUM would be organising a seminar on the theme of 'Envisioning change through education'to discuss the report and pass recommendation at Chandel on Novmember 24 and 25, the statement announced.