The Manipur Commission for Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has identified serious violations in the functioning of several unaided private schools in the state, including breaches of pupil–teacher ratio norms, instances of corporal punishment, lack of counselling support and denial of parental participation in school governance.
In a statement, MCPCR Chairperson Keisam Pradipkumar said inspections and reports revealed systemic non-compliance with the prescribed Pupil–Teacher Ratio under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. In certain schools, classrooms were found accommodating 80 to 90 students under a single teacher, a situation the Commission observed as detrimental to effective teaching and classroom management.
The Commission stated that such overcrowding undermines educational standards, places excessive strain on teachers and heightens the risk of coercive disciplinary practices, adversely affecting the mental and emotional well-being of children.
Despite statutory prohibition, cases of corporal punishment and unaddressed bullying were also reported. The Commission noted that the absence of preventive and monitoring mechanisms has resulted in mental, physical and academic distress among students.
It further found that several schools have not appointed counsellors, despite the focus on socio-emotional development in the National Education Policy 2020. The lack of professional counselling support was described as a serious gap in ensuring students’ psychological well-being.
The Commission also observed that democratically elected Parents’ or Guardians’ Associations have not been constituted or permitted to function in a number of unaided private schools. This, it stated, runs contrary to the participatory governance framework envisaged under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, the guidelines of the Central Board of Secondary Education, and the consultative approach promoted by the National Education Policy 2020. The absence of such bodies weakens transparency, accountability and collaborative oversight in school administration.
Reports have additionally pointed to arbitrary issuance of Transfer Certificates and suspension of students as punitive measures without counselling or reformative intervention. In some institutions, teachers were found to lack internal grievance redressal mechanisms and service security safeguards, conditions that may adversely affect the overall educational environment.
The MCPCR has directed strict compliance with prescribed pupil–teacher ratios and infrastructure norms, constitution of functional parents’ committees, establishment of grievance redressal mechanisms, appointment of counsellors and orientation of school staff on child rights and positive discipline practices. It has also called for strengthened departmental monitoring.
Stating that education must remain child-centric, rights-based and participatory, the Commission said it will closely monitor compliance and take appropriate action if violations persist.