IMPHAL, Dec 21: "The tough decision of the state government not to allow promotion in any circumstances to the entire educational institutes of Manipur if school attendance record fall short of minimum requirement is still firmly in place and the agitators should drop their strike for the welfare of genuine students".
This was stated by education minister L. Jayenta Kumar while inaugurating the 4th three-day training programmes of graduates teachers on understanding and managing the adolescents today at the RIMS mini auditorium.
Attending the function as chief guest the education minister further maintained that the state government has not left its effort to talk with the agitators to immediately stop the strike and allow resumption of classes which have remained paralyzed for the last four months.
He said the state government was unable to negotiate or concede to some of the demands of the agitators hence the deadlock.
He however said the state government has not altogether given up on the possibility of a negotiated settlement.
He said government is still negotiating with the students` bodies to ensure that all schools of the state can begin functioning like before and have proper promotion examination.
With this offer, the state government is waiting and is very optimistic that a fruitful outcome is due soon, he added.
He said he is certain the students` bodies are unable to come to a compromise because of pressures from some unnamed quarters.
In its effort to unfreeze the paralyzed educational institutes the state government has already taken the initiative to instruct the schools to open and resume their classes promising adequate security at their campuses.
The state government has also given the deadline of December 21 for them to open and in this connection the education department made field visits at all the schools and after getting the report the department will also take up action against those schools still found closed.
He appealed to the students` union who are agitating to end their stir saying the brunt of their agitation would only be borne by students and society.
He said he is certain there is still some more time to make up the gaps in syllabus coverage and examinations can still be held normally.
As far as teachers are concerned, the state government is trying its level best to develop skills and ideas for the benefit of teacher with the aim of making education sector of Manipur one of the best in North East Region and India.
Further, the minister announced that the state government will take up initiatives like inter state exchange programmes which will help to develop skills and ideas of teacher.
Education director, Harekrishna who also attended the opening function as guest of honour also noted that paralysing the education sector will be a great loss for the entire state and ensuring classes are resumed shoudl be the only option the people of Manipur consider as legitimate.
He therefore appealed to the concern people to bring a solution to the issues which have led to the present situation.
Dr. M. Akshaykumar, head of the department of clinical psychology who presided the function maintained that the present challenge before every teacher is to forge a future generation which is free of many of the scourges of today such as alcoholism and drug addiction.
He also noted that teacher need to sacrifice to bring up perfect students.
The three day training programme will be attended by 300 teacher of the state.