Sanjoo Thangjam Special Correspondent IOP 

Manipur, July 17, 2019: Department of Education (Schools) and Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) jointly organised the annual prize distribution ceremony for the years 2018 and 2019 with Chief Minister N. Biren Singh as the Chief Guest at City Convention Centre, Palace Compound, Imphal East Tuesday.

Education Minister Th. Radheshyam, Joint Secretaries (Education-S) L. Nandakumar and Ng. Roben and BOSEM Secretary Chithung Mary Thomas also attended the function as dignitaries.

In all, 209 awards were distributed today, out of which 125 awards were under BOSEM while another 84 were incentive awards instituted by the Department of Education (S).

Speaking at the occasion, N. Biren Singh observed that education is the backbone of the society and giving good education to children is the only means to hone their talents. He added that there has been huge improvement in school education sector in the past two years. 

The Chief Minister informed that the overall pass percentage for HSLC examination touched an all-time high of 74.69%, which is the highest since establishment of BOSEM in 1972. Credit for this feat goes to hardworking teachers, he added.

Chief Minister N. Biren said that as private school education has become extremely costly nowadays, huge number of parents who were desirous to send their wards to private schools, came on Meeyamgi Numit ( People's Day) to seek financial assistance from him. Stating that about Rs. 45,000 to Rs. 60,000 is spent per student every year in getting education in private schools, the Chief Minister observed that all these put a huge financial burden on poor families.

To provide a solution to this scenario, the State Government launched 'School Fagathansi' mission meaning ' LET'S IMPROVE THE SCHOOL' mission with an objective to give the desired quality education to students, he added. 

Chief Minister stating that one school each had been selected in all the 60 Assembly Constituencies of the State to develop them as model schools and said that all these schools would have similar facilities like that of private schools such as  including smart classes, computer lab, open gym, separate toilets for boys and girls and other modern infrastructure etc. 

Rs. 24 crore had been earmarked in the State budget while another Rs.19 crore had been sanctioned by the Central Government for the mission, he added.

Many committed and motivated Government teachers had applied for posting in these schools, he said and added that postings would be announced after the completion of necessary procedures like interview as soon as possible. He also said that all these schools would have classes from Pre-Primary to Class X or XII.

The Chief Minister said that the Government has no intention to undermine the efforts and dedication of private schools or challenge them in their endeavour but simply trying to ensure the desired modern quality education to the students belonging to needy families from the side of Government as well.

Education Minister Th. Radheshyam in his speech, sought co-operation and support from public regarding Government's recent move of amalgamation of Government schools. He said that there are many Government schools which have many teachers but very less number of students while on other hand there are   schools which have good number of students but inadequate number of teachers. As such, the Government believes that amalgamation of schools would serve as an effective solution to resolving the problem of lack of infrastructure and manpower disparity among Government schools, he added.

Stating that mushrooming of private schools and unholy competition among them being witnessed in the State is not a good sign and further stated that the Minister the Manipur Private School (Registration & Regulation) Act, 2017 would be implemented soon so as to regulate for establishment and functioning of private schools. He also sought suggestion and co-operation from public regarding improvement of education sector in the State.

It may be mentioned that under Education Department's incentive award scheme, the State Government had announced to award Rs. 3 lakh to Government school students who secured 1st to 3rd position in HSLC examination, Rs. 1 lakh to 4th to 25th position holders. Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25,000 were also announced for the students, who secure 1st and 2nd positions at district levels respectively.