The Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) has accused the Manipur Government of deliberately neglecting government schools, alleging that the persistent shortage of teachers is pushing students towards private institutions and weakening the state’s public education system.
Addressing the media, MSF General Secretary Khaidem Rabikanta Khanganba said the deteriorating condition of government schools has raised serious concerns over whether the authorities are intentionally allowing the public education system to collapse. He said the issue has persisted for years despite repeated appeals from students and civil society organisations.
As part of its academic campaign, “Eikhoi Lairik Ningthina Tamsi” (Let Us Study Sincerely), launched on June 30, the federation has been inspecting higher secondary schools upgraded from high schools in 2021. So far, the inspection team has visited Wangkhei, Srivan, Heingang, Eastern Ideal, Yumnam Huidrom, Wabagai, Lalit Madhop, Sekmai Khumbi, Khonghampat, Praja and Oinam Higher Secondary Schools, while inspections at Kwakta, Kumbi and Thanga Higher Secondary Schools are scheduled.
Rabikanta Khanganba alleged that several schools were either yet to begin regular classes or were unable to conduct them due to an acute shortage of teachers. He cited Thanga Higher Secondary School as an example, claiming that only five graduate teachers are managing both high school and higher secondary classes, leaving students without proper instruction.
Questioning the government’s commitment to public education, he said local clubs and residents were increasingly being forced to arrange teachers to keep government schools functioning. “If the government intends to close public schools, it should declare so openly instead of allowing them to deteriorate through administrative neglect,” he said.
Maintaining that government schools remain the only affordable option for thousands of students from economically weaker families, Rabikanta Khanganba demanded the immediate appointment of adequate teaching staff. He warned that if the Education Department failed to take prompt corrective measures, MSF would intensify democratic agitations in coordination with students and other stakeholders across the state.