Students’ union suspends exam boycott

IMPHAL, May 18: Following the assurance of the Minister of Education over the charter of demands submitted by the Co-ordination Committee of Colleges Students’ Union Manipur, the Students’ Union has agreed to suspend their ongoing boycott/gherao of the Directorate of Higher Education and other protests including boycott of exams, etc with immediate effect.

Speaking to reporters, Wanglem Islamuddin, President of the Democratic Students’ Alliance of Manipur (DESAM) said the Minister for Education invited the Students’ Union and held a meeting on May 16, 2013 which failed to bring resolutions over the demands submitted by the student groups.

The meeting resumed at 3.30 pm today chaired by Minister Education, attended by Commissioner Hr and Tech Edn, other officers of the Department of Hr Edn and representatives of the Co-ordination Committee of the College Students’Union Manipur and resolutions have been brought, Islamuddin added.

He continued, the resolutions are that the Minister assured that almost all the demands have been under active consideration and the same are being translated within a reasonable time and may be reviewed jointly before September 4, 2013.

The review will cover all demands  excluding one which is not within the purview of the department. Special attention will be given to ensure action on the construction of toilets and regular appointment of principals by September 4, 2013, it added.

It also said regarding admission policy, the Addl Director Hr Edn will call a meeting of the principals of Government/Aided Colleges within May 31, 2013 along with the representatives of students’ organizations and finalize the matter for submission of a practicable policy to cover all government colleges.

Regarding appointment of regular principals of govt colleges, the matter is already under active consideration of the government and it will take all necessary measures to implement the same within the next three months and will place the progress for information of the Students’ Union by September 4, 2013, it stated.

The resolutions also said, regarding appointment of full time Director of Edn (U), the administrative department would submit a formal proposal to the concerned Dept of Personnel for consideration.

Meanwhile, when discussion on demands was going on, Education Minister Okendro said that college teachers should teach students staying at the colleges for the stipulated time as per the UGC norms. Necessary actions will be taken up against the teachers who cannot comply with the norms according to norms and salary without discharging of duties will not be allowed, he said. He also warned that stringent instructions will be issued to colleges not allow students irregular in attendance to write examinations.

The  Education Minister also assured students that toilets of colleges will be renovated and revamped and  the work for setting up solar power plant to provide power and water supply facilities will be taken up in the interest of the students within three months.

The meeting chaired by Education Minister minutely discussed Students’ demands yesterday. In continuation of the talk today the two sides  signed a memorandum of understanding. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Additional Director, Education (U) Dr. RK. Yaiskul  and Under Secretary, Y. Dimbajit Singh representing the government of Manipur while Okram Premjit, Convenor, Elangbam Sobhamani, Co-convenor, Lusi Yumnam, Co-convenor and three others on behalf of Co-ordinating committee signed the memorandum. Representatives of DESAM extended help during the talk.

Education Minister, M Okendro and Commissioner, Higher and Technical Education, P. Vaiphei elaborated on during the talk that out of 19 demands brought up by Co-ordinating committee, the state government has taken some demands already while some are in the pipeline. Commissioner, P. Vaiphei said that a committee led by Kh Raghumani Singh, Additional Secretary, Higher and Technical Education was formed to look into shortages of colleges and has begun to survey.  

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