After nearly a two-month-long break due to the crisis, academic classes for class 9 to 12 resumed on Thursday in both government and private schools, with a huge number of students turning up for regular classes in Manipur.
Schools across Manipur reopened following a notification of the Directorate of Education (Schools) to start normal classes for class 9 to 12 on August 10.
On the first day of the reopening of school, the Imphal Free Press visited the Xtra Edge School and TG Higher Secondary School. During the visit, all classes at the respective schools were found running with nearly full attendance.
During an inspection at the TG Higher Secondary School, Imphal, the director of Directorate of Education (S) L Nandakumar stated that around 28 government and private schools were still unable to start normal classes as the schools are being used as temporary shelter for internally displaced people in the violence-hit state.
Nandakumar stated that the directorate was working closely to shift the relief camps from the respective schools so that normal classes could be started. He maintained that academic classes would continue and orders would be updated as per the situation in the state.
Meanwhile, a class 11 student of Xtra Edge School expressed happiness over the resumption of normal classes after the long break and expressed the hope that the classes would continue unabated.
“We were disheartened that we could not attend schools because of the current situation. However late, we feel elated that classes have started and we are thrilled to attend school,” she said.
She further urged authorities concerned to resolve the crisis swiftly as the crisis situation has seriously impeded the academic progress of numerous students in Manipur.
“We are staring at an uncertain future at the moment and if the crisis progresses we do not know how the students would turn out. Hence, we want the authorities to rein in the crisis in the interest of the student community of Manipur,” she said.
A class-12 student of TG Higher Secondary School expressed disappointment over the long break in normal classes and stated that such circumstances reminded the students of the difficulties faced during the Covid lockdown.
“The Covid lockdown severely affected our academic progress and now the same is happening during the crisis; we want to continue our education. Hence, we hope the authorities would make all efforts to maintain a conducive environment so that the classes can continue,” she said.
Meanwhile, principal of Xtra Edge School, Sh Bimolchand, stated that the reopening of schools had refreshed the hope of students and teachers alike and hoped that the classes would continue as the future of numerous students in the state was at stake.
Nearly 90 per cent of students attended classes on the first day, the principal added.
Bimochand also extended his grievances regarding the displaced students in Manipur and appealed to authorities concerned to extend necessary aid to students in such circumstances and help them in rebuilding their academic careers that have been hampered by the violence.
But for parents and wards from far-flung peripheral areas, the reopening presented tremendous hurdles in order to send their wards in time for classes.
Voicing their concerns to the media, most parents and guardians expressed disappointment over the absence of a public transportation system in far-flung areas, due to the ongoing crisis. In order for their wards to reach the school in time, parents and wards did not even have proper food and drove out of their homes early in the morning.
The Imphal Free Press observed several parents and wards waiting for their wards from beginning of the classes till their classes were over. The parents and guardians appealed to the authorities to take proper measures to ease the difficulties faced by them.
