IT News
Imphal, Aug 8:
Amidst the ongoing violence and unrest in Manipur, the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) has raised serious concerns about the state’s declining education system under the current State Project Director (SPD) of Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Allegations of corruption, data manipulation, and a significant drop in educational standards have emerged, casting a shadow over the future of Manipur’s students.
In an open letter to the Education Minister, DESAM claims that the education department has been inflating student enrollment figures in government schools, with over 45,000 fake entries allegedly recorded. This manipulation, aimed at securing additional funds from the Centre, is said to have diverted Rs. 118 crores—nearly 20% of the total Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan budget for the state.
Since the SPD took office in August 2020, Manipur’s performance on the central government’s Performance Grading Index (PGI) has reportedly declined by more than 33%. The state’s scores in critical areas such as Access, Infrastructure & Facilities, and Governance Processes have fallen below the national average, with Manipur ranking 6th lowest in the country in Governance Processes.
DESAM also highlights the impact on students, noting that primary grade dropout rates have surged from 8% in 2020 to 13.3% in 2021, the highest in India. The 2022 Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) further reveals that only 77% of grade 8 government school students can read a basic grade 2 text, compared to 96% in private schools.
The SPD has also been accused of delaying the establishment of a Command and Control Centre intended to enhance transparency. Additional allegations of illegal hiring, nepotism, and involvement in a sex scandal have surfaced, raising serious questions about governance.
Despite increased funding, the quality of education continues to decline, leaving many questioning the silence of the Chief Minister and Education Minister on these critical issues.
