The ugly truth : No students in 294 schools

By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Dec 8 : The Department of Education (S) has identified 294 schools without any students enrolled. The teachers of these schools may be utilised to plug shortage in other schools, Ng Bhogendra Meitei, the Director of the department said today.
He said this while distributing awards to meritorious students of Government schools who secured top positions and scored above 70 percent in the Class XII examinations.
The event was held at the premises of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) at Lamphel.
Speaking at the event, the Director informed that the 249 schools which have no students were identified recently during an exercise this year.
He said the teachers of these schools may be posted in places they are needed.
Bhogendra further stated that the shortage of teachers at schools may be addressed by merging schools and upgrading them.
Schools which no longer have students may be erased, and two or more schools may be merged and upgraded. Doing this reorganization exercise may make available around 5000 teachers who may be used to plug the shortage, Bhogendra said.
He encouraged students to work hard and pursue their goals, and wished them success in their endeavours.
Warepam Linda Devi of TG Higher Secondary School who topped the HSE in Commerce stream was awarded Rs 5 lakh.
2nd position holder (Commerce) Yaiphabi Sapam was awarded Rs 4 lakh.
Third position holders Devia Mayengbam and Prithita Yumnam were awarded Rs 3 lakh each.
4th position holder (Commerce) Alice Laiphrakpam and 5th position holder (Commerce) Laishram Panthoi Chanu were awarded Rs 1 lakh each.
Students of TG Higher Secondary School Yengkhom Shastina Macklinae, Anania Yumnam and Jitsia Thokchom, who secured the 4th, 7th and 10th respectively in Arts stream were awarded Rs 1 lakh each.
Naorem Niva Chanu, who secured 20th position in Science stream was awarded Rs 1 lakh.
Government school students who secured above 70 percent and topped their respective districts were also awarded.
Education (S/Valley) Additional Director Bisheshwar Khumukcham and Education (S/Hills) Additional Director, Dangmei Manglem attended the event.