Makeshift structure make do as classrooms at Kangpat school

IMPHAL, Jun 28 : The only Government primary school at Kangpat Khullen  in Kamjong district is struggling with an acute shortage of classrooms, forcing the local community to construct makeshift learning spaces so that children can continue their education.
Situated along the Indo-Myanmar border, about 158 Km from Imphal, Kangpat Khullen is home to around 500 Tangkhul people.
For the residents of this remote village, travelling to either Ukhrul or Kamjong district headquarters is the only option for accessing essential services, including healthcare and other basic needs.
Kangpat Khullen is located approximately 35 Km from the Kamjong district headquarters.
Speaking about their ordeals, Joshua Chithung, village headman, told The Sangai Express that Kangpat Khullen is an old village which has been playing a crucial role in defending the territory of Manipur.
The village, however, continues to face numerous challenges such as the lack of basic infrastructure and essential public facilities, due to years of neglect by successive Governments, he said with a sigh.
Saying that Kangpat Khullen has one Government primary school and one junior high school, he expressed hope that the Government would accord priority to improving educational facilities at the village.
The primary school has around 50 students and six teachers.
However, due to an acute shortage of classrooms, villagers have built a makeshift classroom so that students can continue their education, he added.
The junior high school, on the other hand, has three teachers but it exists only in name, Joshua said.
Saying that many parents are compelled to send their children to schools at Kamjong district headquarters, Ukhrul and Imphal for better educational opportunities, he added that  they spend a large amount of money to educate their children outside the village.
He said that many residents cannot afford the expense, leaving their children with limited access to education.
Joshua said children from economically disadvantaged families would have equal access to quality education if the Government provides adequate infrastructure and sufficient teachers in Government schools.
Healthcare facilities are no better, he said, pointing out that the village does not even have a Primary Health Centre.
Whenever medical treatment is required, residents have to travel to the Community Health Centre in Kamjong, the District Hospital in Ukhrul or hospitals in Imphal, he added.
Joshua said that Kangpat Khullen has seen little to no benefit since the creation of Kamjong as a separate district. The village is lagging behind in almost every sector, he said, adding that even access to a mobile network remains a challenge.
The Government constructed a water tank, but no pipelines were installed to distribute the water, he said  and shared that the villagers pooled their resources and purchased the pipes themselves. He  urged the Government to construct a water supply facility at the village.
Saying that most of the women at the village earn a livelihood by weaving waist cloths (Khwangphee), while the majority of men are engaged in agriculture and other menial jobs, he urged the Government to place greater emphasis on improving the living conditions at the border village.