Imphal, December 03: Saying that part time lecturers work at par with regular lecturers and sometimes more, the Thadou Students' Association has urged the State to furnish a concrete assurance so as to terminate the cease work strike now being undertaken by part time lecturers in addition to provision for appointment of teachers and lecturers wanting in schools and colleges of hill districts.

While talking to reporters today at Motbung, general secretary of TSA, Thangboi Kipgen observed that students studying in Government schools and colleges are mostly of backward classes and economically impoverised sections of the society and as such well off officials and authority concerned remain indifferent to plight faced by students of poor families as their wards are not affected by such strikes.

Consequent upon the cease work strike and shortage of teachers in hill districts, more than half of the prescribed syllabus is yet to be covered.

This was discovered by the inspection teams instituted by TSA, informed the student leader.

Approving the demands put forward by the part time lecturers, Thangboi cautioned that the matter might flare up to become a momentous issue if the Government continues with its irresponsibility and high handedness.

Taking part in the press briefing, vice president of TSA, Nehkholal Haokip urged the Government to include Thadou subject (MIL) in schools and colleges and to appoint requisite teachers.Informing that the TSA is up for equal right and legitimacy with other student bodies functioning in Manipur, president of TSA Sadar Hills, Marcel Lhouvum has called upon the authority concerned to appoint science and maths teachers lacking in hill districts.Even though a memorandum has been submitted to Education minister, Francis Ngajok pa in this regard, no response is forthcoming as yet, stated Lhovum.Talking of Meitei Mayek introduction in hill districts, jt secy of TSA Central Committee, Paojahao Lhouvum said that there is no objection to Meitei Mayek but opined that students should be allowed to offer subjects according to their own free will and choice without any intimidation or compulsion.

TSA leaders warned of strong agitation of various sorts, if their demands are not met by Dec 7, commencing from the next day including economic blockade on National highways.

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