Another 536 teachers urgently needed to run normal classes in Tml

2010-02-26 | 04:31:15

Daniel Kamei

Tamenglong, February 25: Apart from acute shortage of infrastructure of school building and its furnitures in schools another 536 teachers are urgently needed to run normal classes for 113 schools in Tamenglong district of Manipur.

The existing teacher’s strength for 113 schools in the whole of Tamenglong district has only 349 teachers under Zonal Education office was posted here excluding the teachers of three Higher Secondary Schools of Tamenglong district of Manipur.

At present m there are only 66 teachers for nine high schools, only two teachers for one Aided High schools, 182 teachers for 30 Junior high schools, 58 teachers for 27 Aided Primary schools and 41 teachers for 46 school less village school (SVS) in Tamenglong district.

All these sanction posting teachers was against the guidelines of schools sanction posting of teachers. This is not a new thing for the schools in hill district of Manipur. This has been practicing since some 20 years back.

While disclosing this to the reporter on Thursday, N Jacob, Zonal Education Officer Tamenglong said every schools in Tamenglong district are facing acute shortage of teachers and bad infrastructures. Adding that there are many school remained defunct due to government apathy.

Even though there were shortages of teachers in every school, N Jacob,  ZEO Tamenglong is expecting good results in forth coming board exam of class X and XII this year. As this year the state government has taken up extra coaching class for X and XII students since 7 January till 25 February 2010. ZEO Tamenglong has opened five coaching centres for class X and XII.

In some schools the villages help to run the school by putting private teachers funded from NREGS and JRY schemes. The state government has engaged some wasted contract basis teachers that cause spoiling the school administration and many students’ lives. Narrating the episode of contract basis teachers ZEO Tamenglong stated that poor parents sent their children to the government schools as some contracting basis teachers are coming to government school.

The state government has engaged only for four to five months and consequently the contract basis teachers left the school and started defunct again spoiling the school administration and students’ lives, he said.

Knowing the bad education policy of the state government the poor cultivators who are working and sweating in the hot sun for daily bread has no other option to send out their children to private run schools with much difficulties.

It is also worth mentioned that due to lack of school in many villages of Tamenglong district poor parents sent out their children to unknown persons who promise to give quality education to other states becomes human traffickers.

In the meantime, the centre team has investigates the implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abyian, SSA schemes in Tamenglong district. The team also inspected some schools in Tamenglong district.

However, the centre refuse to give any comment of their investigation saying that the ministry will provide detail information of SSA implementation in Manipur.

CCRP demands children policy

12 hours, 33 minutes, 6 seconds ago

IMPHAL, Feb 10: Drawing attention of the social welfare minister, Nameirakpam Loken Singh, and seeking immediate intervention for protection of basic inherent rights of the deprived children in the state in the backdrop of the growing issue of trafficking and crimes against women, the Coalition of Children’s Right to Protection, CCRP, Manipur today submitted a memorandum to the minister.
In the memorandum the CCRP placed a charter of demands to ensure improvement in various sectors working to protects right of the children.
It appeal to the concerned authorities to immediately release the outstanding grant-in-aid amount, which has been pending for the last 10 months (from April, 2009 till date) to restore basic needs including food and education of destitute children sheltering in the eight government-aided children homes in the state besides taking up speedy legal action to book and punish culprits who had recently trafficked 19 children to Chennai and 52 children to Keinyakumari form the state, and also to continue with rescue operations at others possible child trafficking destinations.
It also urged for declaring a comprehensive “state policy for children” providing care and protection to chidren affected by conflict, victims of organized violence and children living with HIV AIDS in the forthcoming state Assembly session.
It also urged the government to announce compensation on humanitarian ground for the late Angom Chanbi and her teenage daughter, A. Menaka, 16, of Phayeng village, who were murdered after gang rape. It further called for sponsoring the educational and basic needs of the three orphaned children left behind by Chandbi and protect the right to life and right to education of the socially and economically deprived orphans of the state.
Further it demanded opening a destitute girls’ home, more shelters homes and after-care organizations at the earliest besides functionalizing the existing observation homes in the state.
It asserted to appoint the required Judicial Magistrate of the existing Juvenile Justice Boards in order to make the JJBs functional.
It also called for the implementation of the Integrated Child Protection Scheme, ICPS, in the state at the earliest with utmost transparency and accountability, ensure trauma and psychological counseling to traumatised children and mental retarded children.
It also asked for raising an operational Juvenile Justice Fund for the state under Juvenile Justice (care and protection of children) Act 2000 (and its amendment enacted in 2006) and provide financial supports to extremely deprived children.

Children as Target

by by Lena Phanjoubam
The rates of crimes are increasing day by day.
Everyday we come to hear and witness various sorts of crimes being committed-from TV, Radio, Newspaper- murder, rape, human trafficking, abuse, shoot outs-you name it!!.
On the one hand Government are taking up various plans, projects and schemes for the development and upgradation of our society, while on the other hand various sorts of crimes are being committed by perverts, criminals and such-even more so on women and children-the vulnerable lots. People had hoped that all sorts of misfortunes and disasters will be taken along the year 2009 and the coming year 2010 will bring peace and a new ray of hope. But, this is not so.
The New Year has barely started, all sorts of crimes are being witnessed. Like the cases of the recovering of the lifeless bodies of newly born infants-a lifeless body of a baby boy from Thoubal, and in another case-the finding of the dead bodies of two newly born baby girls from Tera Likram Leirak, yet again another lifeless body of a newly born infant found from the Lamphel supermarket, gender unknown as it lower half of its body was found missing (the deeds of some stray dogs). Such heinous crimes those heartless mothers who knew no love or pain –(only for pleasures or some monetary gains or whatever)-having no heart and soul, otherwise who would killed and discard away their own blood so mercilessly without any feeling. For such mothers, life seems only a game. Even animal are far better than them, for they knew how to love, care and protect their kids.
Then, there is the case of S. Sangeeta (34) who was found hanged at the courtyard of her residence. The reason- torture and ill treatment by her husband and his second wife. Which woman would deceit and desertion by her husband, her mentor who had promised to protect and cherish her throughout life, for in our society every married woman viewed their husband as their god, their protector, and if that protection turns against her, ignore her opt for another woman, then who would bear it.  
Then there is the case of rape and murder of a mother and her teenage daughter, who were found brutally raped and murdered by some unknown perverts. Akam ongbi Chanbi Devi (35) a widow and her eldest daughter Memcha (16) a student of class IX, were found abandoned some 800 meters away form their home at Pahyeng. Till date, who were behind these unthinkable crimes, remains unknown. Chandbi Devi had left behind three more children, two girls and a son. These poor children!! Ex-gratia may be given to them-even their education may be sponsored but there will remain a huge gap in their lives- the love, caring attitude, nurture, affection of their beloved mother-no one can substitute her or the love of their elder sister.
And, yet in another case, another woman, R.K Ratanmala (26) was also found raped and murdered by her boyfriend, a married man with children, at least in this case, the man surrendered himself to the police. An irate mob burnt down his house, and in the process some other adjacent houses were also burnt down, accidentally. But is the justice being duly delivered? Only time will tell.
Another issue which is still prevalent in our society is the issue of human trafficking, mostly women and children. In spite of various preventive measures and precautions, the crime or the act of trafficking is still going on in last month, there is the case of the rescuing of 76 children (54 from Manipur) who were found trafficked from Manipur to and Assam. They were rescued by the child welfare committee of Tamil Nadu. It is their good fortune amidst their misfortune that they were found and rescued in time, otherwise what would have become of them, the answer is unthinkable.
And in this month, another 3 children from the state who were trafficked to Chennai were rescued by the combined team of the CWC, Tamil Nadu and Manipur.
It seems that the preventive/precautionary measures being taken up by the Government, and other organisation is not adequate enough, otherwise why is such crime happening time and again.
The rate of crimes and conflicts are on the rise everyday. How, why, by whom? Questions everywhere. And there is no one who is capable of giving any satisfying answers. There is lack of awareness among the masses, lack of co-operation and co-ordination. Everyone is blaming everyone else, the Govt., the NGOs, the Human Rights and Child Rights Activists. No one is ready to accept the blame or to step forth. 
If this thing continues, how do we expect to solve the issues? Someone has to be bold enough to come forward, take the lead, awake the sleeping masses. Instead of waiting for someone or the other to solve the matter, we need to take it as our responsibilities. Let the government do their duties from their side. We the public also needs to extend our helping hand.
NGOs, organizations, Human Rights Activist needs to join hands, have proper network, co-ordination and work together for the cause.
Doctors and staffs of the psychiatric department needs to come out of their respective clinics and hospitals give mass awareness and counseling-for many crimes are born of a pervert mind, of a mentally disturbed mind.
Police can also do their level best to look for clues, investigate the crimes through ever nook and corner and book the culprit. They can also be on the alert to prevent any sort of crimes.
Above all, parents and teachers should educate their wards on sex education, moral values, rules, and regulations, cultures and norms of our society. So that they grow into a well cultured and well behaved persons.

Crimes Against Women and Children

by Keisam Pradipkumar
My recent visits to Ukhrul district and Phayeng village stirred me to chew over on the clandestine nature of human trafficking, compelled migrations, unabated heinous crimes against hapless women and children vis a vis  globalization and prevailing system of political and economic injustice. As saying goes, that seeing is believable, I made attempts to scan what would be behind the scene I did see.  What I saw at Ukhrul was nothing but the visiblemass exodus of young girls to metro cities of the country. Was it that case of brain drain  as most of them speak English, smart and energetic;  or migration by choice  for better social and economic options, or was it linking with human trafficking for varied reasons in a clandestine way? Appallingly, even a remote village with a small population of 270 had unofficial record of group migration of 20 young girls to outside states. During the past one decade or so, several hundreds of girls had reportedly abandoned their native villages for their destination to different strange cities. 
Every one agrees that Tangkhul girls are admired for exceptionally nice-looking, hard working, and much sought after for warm hospitality to the guests. My probing mind got jolted, this time, as wherever we reached at any village, we were served   tea or warm water only by a horde of   middle aged women, not by young girls. My question was - where had all the teenagers just vanished off the face of the earth? It poked me to remember the shocking profile of AIDS devastated Uganda, where its entire younger population (those who are in the sexually active and productive age group) was inflicted and engulfed by HIV/AIDS pandemic, leaving behind surviving small grandchildren with grandpa and grandmas only.
Observing the hardships faced by underprivileged people, It was starkly evident that globalization and urbanization have rendered a ripple effect  to the impoverished economy, particularly the hill economy, which is utterly depended on cyclic Jhoom cultivation and diminishing forest products. The strait jacketing Globalization process in Manipur, under which no productive base infrastructures are embedded, truly a developmental aggression, brings out new sophisticated lifestyle based on costly consumerism. Since there is no equal distribution of economic opportunities, globalized commodities  only widen the gapping chasm between have and have-nots. Many families could not meet the ever rising demands of a costly globalized lifestyle. While the have-nots being lured, try to embrace the upcoming neo liberal economic challenges risking one’s own life, compromising moral and ethical obligations. Many promising young girls from valley and hills who dared to struggle for a better life in the globalised market, ended with terribly upset stories, as they were betrayedand exploited after being lured.
Interacting with some villagers, they revealed that these vanishing youths left for Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai and other cities, where they have reportedly managed to get good jobs being  offered by different “Companies”. But villagers could not promptly give the details ofcompanies, job specifications, personal security etc. It is a fact that girls from north-east particularly from Manipur are still distained to bear the brunt of racial discriminations in mainland cities of Mera Bharat Mahan, specially the capital Delhi. I could read the apprehensions of the village elders that were buried under their sly smiles. Because the barbaric expression of racial discrimination such as physical assault, verbal abuse, sexual harassments, gang rape and murder as perpetrated by some mainland Indians had inflicted  many Naga and Meitei girls. One  Ramchanphy Hongray (19) from Ukhrul who was murdered  October last year apparently for resisting rape attempt at the apartment of 80/A at Munirka, Delhi being the latest victim.
The other day when I visited Phayeng, a Meitei schedule caste village, I met those traumatized three children left behind by a young widow, who was murdered along with her teenaged daughter after gang rape. The gruesome murder only depicted the magnitude of immeasurably insecure lives of socially deprived section of the society, such as widows, destitute children  and orphans in our society. That widow struggled to afford her fourchildren’s education, who all were studying at Donbosco School, challenging every foreseeable constraints and vulnerabilities she went through. That spirit and courage deserved reverence. However, the fragile co-operation of the locality in addition to laxity of police impeded the progress of crime investigation on the murder case. It’s an awful picture.
Interestingly, security forces came up to showcase their  good Samaritan gesture overriding legal procedures, when they dumped the three children left behind by late Chanbi to an orphanage.  Next turn is of revolutionary justice of underground outfits, if any, that also seemingly a far cry for the downtrodden people. State or nonstate, armed or unarmed groups – it makes less different, to the deprived people nowadays, for them ultimate justice is being throttled on many cases. The present conflict torn society, where rule of law got spirally collapsed, it’s a hey-day only for criminals.
Then, do we have legitimate moral rights to be proud of “Nupi Lan” (women’s uprising) fought against British imperialist and for the contemporary “Meira Paibee Movement” against narcotics, alcoholism and human rights violations?  Why should we take to mean “Ima Keithel” one of the largest markets in the world exclusively run by women, as a symbol ofOriental liberal society and unique social status of Manipuri women?  Would Sharamila  be happy with  the prestigious titles like  “Iron Lady” or “Nura Temshingnabi” when the same society who conferred  her the titles still continues to murder and gang rape of many hapless women and girls?
It is the high time to redefine the true value of campaign and observations, self introspection, redesigning the advocacy strategies, refocusing to outcomes by avoiding  the tokenism and ceremonial aspects from the activities. Ever escalating crimes against women  and children just during and after the observances, including the recently held Children’s day on 14November, 16 days Activism Against Gender violence Campaign started from 25 November, International Human Rights day on 10 December, Nupi Lan on 12 December speak volumes of the ineffectiveness of these observances, rallies and consultations so far. Are we somewhat misfiring or do we get backfired? 
 State   fails to take up short and immediate measures on the recent Phayeng rape and murder incident. There has been no effective crime investigation, culprits are moving scot-free, besides no rehabilitative process for the children left behind by the widow is taken up. Consequently, judiciary and police investigation could not offer trust to the public, who have opted an alternative justice – mob trail and mob justice. State police are pro-active only to counter insurgency operations under the shadow of impunity of AFSPA. Culprits of many heinous crimes hardly get punitive punishment. Highly exposed case of Miss Manorama, allegedly murdered after gang rape and custodial torture of one Miss Naobi Chanu by state police  commandos passed off without awarding any punishment to the  culprits. It is stated that In India, 22 women were killed each day in dowry-related murders in 2007 while, In Guatemala, two women are murdered, on average, each day. Nobody knows- how many of Manipuri women and  girl children must have been killed, tortured, raped, harassed, kidnapped and trafficked each day on this earth? 

Ukhrul children home dry of state grant

IMPHAL, Jan 31: Coalition on Children’s Right to Protection (CCRP), Manipur, recently conducted a two-day field visit on January 29 and 30 to assess the condition of children in Ukhrul district as per the guidelines of the Juvenile Justice Act (JJA).
The only government aided children home of Ukhrul district located at Alungtang was found to be on holiday with all the children sent out on leave since December 23 last year.
According to the members of management committee, the state government has not sanctioned the grant-aid for the last eight months.
The members of management committee have been contributing regularly to keep the home functional but from the last week of December the home ceased to function mainly due to financial constraints.
They said that all the 25 children at home had to be sent out on leave on the pretext of Christmas and other village festivals and added the home would function again after receiving the grant-aid from the social welfare department.
A joint application of all the eight government aided homes of Manipur has already been submitted to the social welfare department urging for timely release of grant-aid and other funds along with the implementation of Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) in the state, the members noted.
Assistant coordinator of CCRP, Athokpam Chinglemba asserted that non release of grant-aid for running children homes by the state government is a violation of survival and protection rights of the children.
CCRP also visited the primary schools of Koso and Leishi village of Phungyar assembly constituency. These two schools were established long back in the 1960s but the government has not taken up anything for the development of the schools. The schools have no proper building and infrastructure and lack the necessary teaching staff with just one or two teachers. 
The villagers stated that education in not possible in their villages and so the parents have to send their wards to Ukhrul town or Imphal for education. The poor children who cannot study in towns are often engaged in agrcultural works thereby depriving their right to education, they added.
However, a change can be seen in the village education system in the last two years with the initiative of Participatory Action for Sustainable Development Organisation (PASDO) which is taking up the communitization of education programme under the sponsorship of MISERIOR, Germany, they noted.
The village education system has been revived to some extent with the induction of such programme. The village primary schools which were once defunct are now functioning with about 25 students. The welfare and development of the schools have been entrusted to the village education committee (VEC) with some financial support from PASDO, said H. Thotchuilla, executive secretary of PASDO, Ukhrul.
CCRP also interacted with the officials of district administration and social activists during the two-day visit.
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Ukhrul block, Timna Hongray stated the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) is being taken up effectively in the district with about 800 anganwadi centres and 200 mini anganwadi centres functioning actively in the district.
The honorarium of workers and helpers along with the required nutritional items of the anganwadi centres are dispatched regularly from the department but there are reports that the anganwadi workers are facing great inconvenience during transaction at the bank as the clearance takes nearly one month, she maintained.
Regarding the sub-standard food items being supplied to the anganwadi centres, she said the food items are supplied by FCI and so the department has nothing to do with the quality of the supplied items.
Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Ukhrul, Wungpam Kashar maintained that there are lots of child related issues in the district like drug abuse, trafficking and child labour but the people are unwilling to consult and take help from the police.
The police also needs to be sensitized on Juvenile Justice Act for safeguarding the child rights but at present the role of police in juvenile cases is limited due to lack of observation home and non-functional of the juvenile justice board (JJB) which is supposed to handle the cases of juvenile delinquency, the SDPO noted.
Chairperson of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Ukhrul district, Gajendra Prasad Mohanty maintained that protection of child rights is a very complicated issue having social and economic implications.
Non-functional of government schools may be termed as a major factor for high rate of school drop-out in the Ukhrul district which again leads to various other social issues of child delinquency, child labour, drug abuse and even trafficking, he noted.
Drug abuse is on the rise amongst children who have come to the town from far off villages for studying. They stay in rented houses without any parental supervision and guidance and as a result most of them begin to use narcotic drugs considering as a fashion and from peer pressure, Gajendra stated.
Also many girls from the villages have abandoned their homes in search of lucrative jobs in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai etc. and in many cases they were found in prostitution, he added.
All social issues related to child rights can be resolved only when the Juvenile Justice Act is implemented effectively for care, support and protection of children in the state, the chairperson of CWC maintained strictly.