NEFIS Manipur organizes cycle rally demanding common education system

Imphal, Jan 7: The activists of North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) organized a Cycle Rally today to raise the issues of Common Education System and Quality Health Facilities for all in the state. The cycle rally which was flagged off by Professor Kh Tomba Singh, Dean- Students’ Welfare, Manipur University began from Kangla Fort Gate and proceeded towards Manipur University. At the university, the rally concluded with a programme which saw huge participation from students of different schools as well as those from the university.
It should be known that the present state of government schools and colleges is dismal in Manipur. For instance, in 2016 of 6,484 students who appeared from 323 government schools, only 2,781 passed the examination conducted by the Board of Secondary Education Manipur (BSEM), putting the pass percentage figure of government schools at 42.8%. This is a blatant failure of Manipur Government in enabling students of government schools who are mostly from deprived backgrounds, to get a decent education. It is especially shocking when compared to those studying in private schools have passed with impressive percentages. The neglect of government schools on which the most marginalized sections of society are dependent is not a new development, but has been a trend even in past years. Moreover, despite the severe need of increasing the number of govt colleges and educational institutions, the successive governments have cut down on funds earmarked for expansion of educational infrastructure.
Likewise, the conditions in government hospitals and health institutions too are deplorable, where common people are denied basic facilities. Instead of improving facilities in govt hospitals and increasing their number, private hospitals are being promoted, which are out of reach of common people. Consequently, as a result of increased privatization the expenditure of successive governments on government educational and health institutions has drastically decreased. It should be noted that NEFIS organized this programme as a protest against the state’s apathy towards these burning issues being faced by the people. NEFIS activists and common students have pledged to intensify their campaign regarding these issues in the coming days.