Thousands of students in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts on Thursday took to the streets in protest against the de-affiliation of 25 schools from the districts to the CBSE and the suspension of officials of ZEO offices.
They also submitted a memorandum to PM Modi through their respective DCs.
In Kangpokpi the massive rally kicked off at Nute Kailhang in downtown Kangpokpi and proceeded toward the Deputy Commissioner office.
The massive student rally, led by the Kuki Students’ Organisation Sadar Hills, submitted a four-page representation to the Prime Minister through DC Kangpokpi calling immediate attention to the alleged deplorable state of education in Kuki-Zo districts of Manipur.
In Churachandpur, the Joint Student Body, Lamka on Thursday took out a massive rally from Lamka Public Ground till Mini Secretariat, Tuibong in Churachandpur.
The rally was flagged off by Khen P Tombing, Principal of Rayburn College and thereafter set off from the Lamka Public Ground, Hiangtam taking the Tipaimukh Road then IB Road till Tedim road and to the Mini Secretariat or the DC office where a memorandum addressed to the Prime Minister of India was submitted through the DC.
Samuel Taithul, Secretary of JSB, Lamka said that they are demanding the revocation of the suspension of three ZEO officials by the state government in relation to the affiliation of 25 schools in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts to the CBSE; the three are ZEO/ Churachandpur Jangkhohao Haokip, DI of Samulumlan L Taithul and Lhingtinneng ZEO / Kangpokpi
On January 15, the JSB had closed the ZEO offices in Churachandpur and Pherzawl districts as a protest.
In the memorandum submitted PM Modi, the JSB called for his immediate attention to the deplorable state of education in the Zo districts of Manipur and help in the reinstatement of suspended ZEO officials, re-affiliate the 25 schools with CBSE and assist in establishing a central university at Lamka etc.
The memorandum further said that de-affiliation of 25 schools from the CBSE were affected by the state government on the grounds that affiliation was granted on the basis of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued without the consent of the State government and by officials deemed as not the competent authorities to do so.
“However, as per official procedures contained in Chapter 1.3.25 of the CBSE Affiliation bye-law, 2018, it is provided that ‘an NOC means a letter issued by the Education Department of the State or Union Territory in respect of a school situated in the State or Union Territory for affiliation of the school to the CBSE”, the JSB stated.
The memorandum further pointed out that in this regard, the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) is the authorized functionary of the State Government in respect of the concerned district. Thus, the de-affiliation on the pretext that NOCs were not issued by the competent authorities is legally and procedurally erroneous.
The memorandum further stated there is ample evidence which showcases that Manipur University is not a safe haven for Zo students to continue their studies.
