IT News
Imphal, Oct 16:
Manipur’s ambitious efforts to reform its education sector, through programs like the School Fagathansi Mission and College Fagathansi Mission, have encountered severe obstacles as the state grapples with a prolonged failure to pay its educators. The promises of revitalizing the education system and making public institutions competitive with private ones are at risk of collapse, as hundreds of teachers, both those hired on a contractual basis and those later regularized, are facing unbearable financial hardship.
According to sources, 605 higher secondary lecturers, initially appointed on contract in 2019 and later regularized in 2022, have not received their salaries for the past 19 months. Similarly, 613 Arts graduate teachers, 309 Science graduate teachers, 376 Hindi primary teachers, and 131 Hindi graduate teachers—appointed on a contractual basis in February 2023—have not been paid for 13 months, since September 2023. Moreover, the 164 Assistant Professors appointed on a contractual basis on February, 8, 2024, under the Department of University and Higher Education have not been paid since their appointment. These prolonged delays in salary disbursement have left teachers struggling to make ends meet.
For many of these educators, the financial burden is becoming insurmountable. With months of unpaid salaries, teachers are unable to meet basic living expenses such as rent, food, and medical bills. This has forced some to take up part-time jobs to survive, which in turn compromises the time and energy they can devote to their teaching responsibilities. Furthermore, the psychological toll is considerable, with teachers left feeling undervalued and neglected by the very system they are supposed to uplift.
The crisis in paying teachers highlights a broader issue plaguing Manipur’s government education system. While the state government’s goals of improving enrollment rates, expanding access to quality education, and creating competitive public schools are commendable, the inability to pay teachers undermines these efforts. At the heart of the Fagathansi missions is the aim to attract the best talent to the government education sector, but how can that be achieved when those tasked with shaping young minds are left to fend for themselves without financial support?
This situation has also sparked concerns about the sustainability of Manipur’s broader education reform agenda. Without prompt payment of salaries, the motivation and morale of teachers are likely to plummet further. As teachers continue to endure financial hardship, the quality of education is likely to suffer, undermining the government’s attempts to enhance public education.
The state government must act swiftly to address the issue of unpaid salaries and restore confidence among teachers. Failure to do so risks not only derailing the Fagathansi missions but also deepening the crisis in Manipur’s education system. The future of thousands of students who depend on government schools and colleges hangs in the balance, and it is the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that the very foundation of this system—the teachers—are supported, not sidelined, during this critical time.
As the crisis in Manipur continues to take its toll on various sectors, education remains one of the most severely affected. The government’s inability to prioritize the needs of its educators raises serious concerns about the future of public education in the state. If the current situation persists, the dreams of a revitalized education system in Manipur may soon fade into irrelevance, with devastating consequences for both students and teachers alike.