In an effort to address the growing disparity between government and private schools in Manipur, the Manipur Students’ Federation (MSF) on Wednesday has decided to uplift and establish government schools in every district of Manipur as model institutions, providing quality education comparable to private schools.
Under its “Eikhoi Lairik Ningthina Tamsi” academic campaign, the MSF has selected two government schools for comprehensive development as an initial step.
The schools are Hiyanglam Turen Manbi Primary School in Kakching district and Wangoo Sabal Naodakhong Upper Primary School in Bishnupur district.
These schools have been identified as focal points for transformation, symbolising the MSF’s commitment to revitalising the education sector in Manipur, said general secretary of MSF Sundar Khuman while speaking to the media at its head office in Imphal.
He said the decision to focus on government schools came up from the alarming trend of parents opting for private education due to perceived neglect by the government in the education sector.
Many parents feel compelled to bear the additional financial burden of private school fees to ensure their children receive quality education, citing the superior resources and emphasis on academic excellence offered by private institutions, he said.
This shift towards private education has placed undue strain on parents, especially amid the ongoing unrest in Manipur, which has already weakened the state’s economy, he said adding despite these challenges, the MSF emphasises the urgent need for government intervention to bolster the infrastructure and academic standards of government schools.
The student’s body has also called upon the government to prioritise the improvement of government schools, ensuring they are equipped to compete with private institutions in terms of educational quality and facilities.
Additionally, the federation has announced plans to extend its “Eikhoi Lairik Ningthina Tamsi” campaign to include one school in each district of Manipur, further expanding its efforts to revitalise the education sector statewide.
By taking proactive steps to address the shortcomings in government schools, the MSF aims to alleviate the financial burden on parents and foster a more equitable education system in Manipur, added the general secretary.
