Manipur Education Minister Thounaojam Basanta Kumar on Saturday inspected the conditions of various government schools located within Wangkhei assembly constituency and listened to the grievances of the teachers, keeping in view of the state's preparation for commencing the new academic session, especially for Class XI.
The minister was accompanied by local MLA Thangjam Arunkumar, education (S) director L Nandakumar and other department officials.
The team visited Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, Lamlong Higher Secondary School and Nongmeibing Primary School among others.
ALSO READ: Manipur to award teachers of government schools with high pass percentage
During interaction with the teachers, the education minister noted the inconveniences such as inadequate number of classrooms, lack of teaching staff for certain subjects, etc. arising out of the amalgamation of government schools.
Principal of Lamlong Higher Secondary School L Kamala highlighted the need for expanding the number of classrooms with the increase in the strength of students.
ALSO READ: Is scoring that important?
She drew their attention to set up a full-fledged practical room and laboratory to facilitate learning through practicals and experiments.
The teachers, especially those of Manipuri and Hindi subjects, also highlighted that the number of teachers is not adequate compared to the number of students and requested the team to initiate necessary steps in this regard.
The minister assured to look into the possibility of fulfilling their demands and exhorted the teachers to strive for high pass percentage since the school reported considerably low pass percentage in recently concluded HSLC exam.
Likewise, at Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy, the school principal and teachers pointed out that the lower classes are suffering as there are no classrooms available for them.
Minister Basanta and the department officials expressed that the school can emphasise on higher secondary level as there are other schools available for lower classes.
It is said that the school has only 14 classrooms at present. The team assessed the feasibility to dismantle the old block and construct a new building for expanding the number of classrooms or to consider vertical expansion of the new block.
The same problem of having inadequate number of teachers for Manipuri and Hindi subjects was also apprised to the minister.
Teachers and staff of both Lamlong Higher Secondary School and Ananda Singh Higher Secondary Academy urged the team to carry out proper demarcation and fencing works as well.
ALSO READ: Linthoingambi Thongram - only government school student among toppers
Meanwhile, during inspection at Nongmeibung Primary School, the teachers appealed to the minister to see if the amalgamation of the school with Thamchet High School can be stayed in the interest of survival of the school.
The minister assured that he will study the possibility of doing so but advised the teachers to give priority on producing good students wherever they are posted.
