Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 23 2010:
Recalling the chain of events in the aftermath of the July 23 incident, a joint statement of the AMSU, MSF and KSA, stated today that following the suspension of the agitation after an agreement with the government, the issues which are of concern to the people of the state are that of tuition fees and transportation charges of school vans.
Meanwhile, taking note of the fact that some of some schools had conducted the Test Exam for class X and XII during the class boycott period, the statement urged those schools to conduct the Test Exam again for those left out so that they too could appear in the HSLC/HSSLC.
The three students' bodies stated that the adverse reaction from the All Manipur Govt.Recognised Private School Welfare Assn and the All Manipur Students' Transporters Assn to their appeal has forced them to take a firmer stand on the issue.
Reiterating their appeal, the joint statement said that the refusal to heed to the three students' bodies appeal of taking only one month fee and transportation charge give a lie to their claim of service to the students community.
Their attitude reek of selfishness and it might well turn out to be their undoing, continued the statement.
The three students' bodies called on those who might have charged for four months to return the excess amount to the students or their parent/ guardians by February 2 .
Stating that the strong reaction against AMSU, MSF and KSA by the All Manipur Govt.Recognised Private School welfare Assn has cast the three students' bodies in a false light in the eyes of the public, the statement warned the private schools to be wary lest their negative side get exposed.
The three students' bodies asserted that the decision concerning the number of months for which fees should be charged cannot be taken unilaterally but rather in consultation with the public.
The statement cautioned the private schools that if the three students' bodies get complaints of non return of excess fee charged at the end of the dateline of February 2, then there is no reason not to treat those schools responsible as enemies of the public.
To the students' transporters, the statement while acknowledging the loss they suffered stated that the 4 months class boycott came about in extraordinary circumstances and every section of people suffered some disorientation in their way of life.
Reminding the transporters that they are recouping at least a month's charge, the statement urged them to spare a thought for all those students who have lost 4 months.
The statement also called on the All Manipur Students' Guardian Assn.
and other Parents/Guardian Assn to react to the fee issue and not remain captive to the whips of the private schools.
The AMSU, MSF and KSA is also keenly watching the situation arising out of the conduct of annual exam by private schools to facilitate charging of fees for the whole four months of class boycott, cautioned the statement.