The Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has expressed strong concern over the acute shortage of teachers in colleges affiliated to Manipur University and Dhanamanjuri University, and even higher secondary schools across the state. The student body urged the Government of Manipur to take immediate steps to recruit the required number of teaching staff to safeguard the academic interests of students.
According to DESAM President Somorjit Meitei, who spoke to the media, the shortage of teachers has brought down the quality of education in Manipur. He pointed out that while some institutions have surplus teachers, many are facing a serious shortfall and hence proper review and balanced deployment of teaching staff is needed.
Somorjit stated that DESAM had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Manipur on October 17 highlighting the issue. As a follow-up, representatives of the student body met with Education Commissioner Geoffrey, who has reportedly forwarded a proposal to the Manipur Public Service Commission (MPSC) for the recruitment of 432 teachers for both schools and colleges.
While welcoming the move, DESAM urged that it completes the recruitment process without unnecessary delays. The student leader further emphasized that the need for more teachers has now become urgent with the introduction of a four-year degree programme under NEP-2020, which has replaced the earlier three-year system.
He said that if the shortage of teachers continues, students will suffer serious academic setbacks, especially in the newly added courses included in the revised curriculum. DESAM appealed to the authorities to ensure timely recruitment so that the standard of higher education is maintained in the state.