Students and staff of various schools in Churachandpur district took out a mass rally against the disaffiliation of 25 schools in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi district from Central Board of Secondary Education.
Led by the Joint Students’ Body Lamka and Kuki Students Organisation Churachandpur, participants gathered at Public Ground, Hiangtam, proceeding to Peace Ground, Tuibong.
Displaying placards with messages like ‘reverse unjust CBSE disaffiliation’ and ‘No CBSE no rest,’ the rally aims to oppose the disaffiliation and suspension, alleging undue influence by the state government.
The organizers also submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner Churachandpur, asserting the legality of the affiliation process and seeking redress for what they perceive as politically motivated actions by the state government to deprive tribals of an equitable educational system provided by the CBSE.
They highlight procedural errors in the de-affiliation process and call attention to the impact on student welfare, urging the establishment of a central university in Churachandpur for equal educational opportunities.
Briefing the media after concluding the rally at Peace Ground Tuibong, Joint Secretary of Joint Students Body Lamka, Samuel Taithul said the rally is a mark of protest against unjust disaffiliation of 25 schools from Churachandpur and Kangpokpi district from Central Board of Secondary Education.
Alleging that the said schools were disaffiliated because of the pressure and influence by the state government, Samuel added that highest officials of CBSE and some officials of the central government have already approved for the affiliation of the 25 schools under CBSE.
The General Secretary of JSB Lamka added that that the rally is also a protest against the recent burning of 3 schools in Moreh under Tengnoupal district by the state forces and also the unjust suspension of 3 ZEO officials on the ground that they were not the competent authority to issue NOC for the schools
As per the CBSE affiliation by laws of 2018, the district educational officer is a competent authority. However, despite that the disaffiliation took place because of the influence by the state government, he added
Samuel further said that the JSB Lamka has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner of Curachandpur district.
Advisor of Lamka Private School and Colleges Association, MV Haokip appealed to the central government especially the CBSE to revoke the disaffiliation and re-affiliate the schools once again. He said the affiliation process was applied legally according to by laws of affiliation.
Haokip said that the lives of the students are at stake since they schools cannot approach Imphal valley for educational purpose.
Haokip further said, “The hills and the valley are separated geographically and emotionally in all areas. Therefore there is no way for us to come back again to Imphal for our education matter. We plead the CBSE officials, education department of the state and the Centre to gave us back our right of education through CBSE affiliation.”
In a memorandum submitted to the Prime Minister, the JSB stated that 25 schools were de-affiliated on the grounds that affiliation was granted on the basis of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) issued without the consent of the State government and by officials deemed as not the competent authorities to do so.
However, as per official procedures contained in Chapter 1.3.25 of the CBSE Affiliation bye-law, 2018, it is provided that ‘an NOC means a letter issued by the Education Department of the State or Union Territory in respect of a school situated in the State or Union Territory for affiliation of the school to the CBSE’.
Hence, in this regard, the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO) is the authorized functionary of the State Government in respect of the concerned district. Thus, the de-affiliation on the pretext that NOCs were not issued by the competent authorities is legally and procedurally erroneous, the letter added.
This blatant de-affiliation of 25 schools in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi is only a politically motivated move on the part of the State government to deprive tribals of a fair educational system, which the CBSE can provide, it stated.
Most importantly, Chapter 13.14 of the Affiliation by-laws, 2018 of the CBSE states that, ‘The future and welfare of the students studying in the school will be kept in mind while imposing a penalty on the school.’ However, the de-affiliation on the malicious pretext that NOC was not issued by a competent authority when in this time of conflict and enmity, and where physical and virtual intimation of the State Government cannot be made, is a grievous overriding of the rationale of student welfare, JSB added.
JSB also highlights issues in connection with unjust suspension of 3 ZEO officials and past instances of discriminatory practices of Manipur University towards Zo (Zomi- Kuki-Hmar-Mizo) students.
JSB also draws the attention of the Prime Minister to establish a Central University in Lamka (Churachandpur) district so that students may get equal opportunities and access to higher education and that colleges affiliated under the university will access a fair and just system that is free from Meitei encroachment.
