Govt Jr HS lives it up as centre of learning

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Apr 3 : In Manipur, the preference of parents and students for private schools over Government institutions has been a widely acknowledged fact.
While the reasons for this preference may vary, the outcome remains the same, parents opt for private schools due to perceived better facilities, infrastructure, and resources.
However, despite these challenges, the teachers at Khagemba Junior High School at Keibung Oinam Leikai, Imphal West, have taken extraordinary steps to ensure that the school continues to function and the students receive the education they deserve.
Currently, 40 students are enrolled at Khagemba Junior High School which has nine teachers.
These teachers have stepped in, using their own money to provide van services to ensure their students are able to attend school regularly.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, these teachers highlighted several challenges faced by the school, including the absence of a headmaster and shortage of teaching staff, among other issues.
Although the school has a sufficiently large campus, it lacks adequate classrooms, they said, noting that some classrooms are currently under construction.
They urged the Government to complete the construction of classrooms as soon as possible.
They also mentioned that the school previously had 11 teachers, but now only has nine.
Regarding the mid-day meal programme, the teachers stated that they receive rice regularly but students cannot be served rice alone.
Stating that they raise money themselves to provide  dishes, they expressed a desire for the Government to address their concerns.
Government spends a large sum of money on Government schools, and teachers are recruited through exams, yet parents still prefer sending their children to private schools, they said and emphasized that the Government needs to understand why this happens.
'What’s the point of running a school if there are no students?' they asked.
They questioned whether the Principals and teachers in private schools are better than those in Government schools.
While private schools are able to maintain cleanliness, Government schools are comparatively lacking in this area too, they said, urging the Government to make a sincere effort to promote Government schools.
Saying that most students in Government schools come from underprivileged families, they emphasised that the Government needs to support them through genuine action.