ACTSOM takes up Pettigrew college case
Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Imphal, June 11 2011:
All Colleges Tribal Students' Organization Manipur (ACTSOM) has expressed strong resentment at the apathy of the Government of Manipur in resolving the crisis besetting Ukhrul's Pettigrew College where a student was turned back late last month from appearing in the examination because of unavailability of question paper.
The students' body warned that the ongoing protest at the college, entering its 18th day, will be further intensified if the authorities concerned do not promptly address the issue.
It has also been demanding the transfer of the "disgraced" Principal of the college.
On May 30, a student of Pettigrew College had to return home without writing the History paper because the college authority inexplicably overlooked the fact that the question paper for the lone History student was not "requisitioned" from Manipur University.
An agitation was launched at the behest of the students' union of the college almost concurrently with the submission of a memorandum to this effect to Education Minister DD Thaisii.
The college has witnessed non-academic activities for some time now and has reportedly remained closed for the past 18 days.
A four-member team from Higher Education Directorate was immediately pressed into action by the Minister on a fact finding mission to the college.
Even as the visiting team refused to spell out the specific time frame within which the issue would be sorted out, students have been overwhelmed by anxiety and helplessness.
There has not been any intimation to the college authority to that effect and no attempt has been made from the Government to resolve the stalled issue, said president of ACTSOM R Henry Liangpuang to Newmai News Network today.
Liangpuang accused the Principal of Pettigrew College, Mashun Stone of financial irregularities and cheating the students and teachers of the college
off their money.
He also charged the Principal of charging double the amount from students for admission and examination fees, and cornering certain percentage from the salaries of part time teachers of the college.
"Leveling serious allegations of mismanagement, incompetency and misappropriation of fund on the principal Mashun Stone, the students (of the college) have been picketing the principal's office since May 25 last leading to breakdown of college administration," reported a local newspaper.
ACTSOM leaders informed Newmai News Network that the college has been embroiled in financial mismanagement because of which classes and administrative functions have been disrupted intermittently.
The stand off between the college authority and the students have been going on for the past 18 days since the intensification of the stir following the uncovering of mismanagement and dereliction of duty of the principal, said the students' organization.
As the crisis escalated, Manipur University on May 30 washed its hands off saying that the college authority did not ask to requisition History question paper for BA 2nd year.
The student's body maintained that the issue of part time teachers in the hill districts is despicable.
Liangpuang said that what has happened in Pettigrew College may as well be generalized for the entire hill districts of Manipur.
The principal of Pettigrew College conducts himself illegally by deduction a hefty amount from the salaries of part time teachers of the college, he said, adding that such an abhorrent behavior of the principal has eaten into the integrity of the teachers who are now ridden in corrupt practices themselves.
It demanded that the teachers who play truant from colleges, which has become the pretext for principals to deduct their salaries, must either be sacked or asked to report for duty on a regular basis.
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