IMPHAL, January 27: Addressing a joint press conference held by the Manipur Student Federation and Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) at the office of the KSA at Tiddim Road, Th Premananda President of KSA said that the entrance test for admissions to elementary classes is against the norms of the Right to Education (RTE). “The announcement of entrance tests for admissions to class II in mission and catholic schools is totally against RTE guidelines and norms,” he said adding that such a step is against the interest of young students. Appealing to mission and catholic schools in the state to stop going ahead with their scheduled tests for admission, he said that both the student groups stand united against such educational institutions.
Speaking at the press conference, L Umakanta President of the Manipur Student Federation said that in the last week of November 2012, school authorities had undertaken media publicity through advertisements for conducting entrance tests without giving any information to the student groups which had earlier announced its stand on the matter.
“After an understanding with the MSF, these schools had resorted to the lottery system during the admission process for last year” he said, while demanding for the same to be put into practice this year and that MSF`s stand is not against any minority groups but aimed at promoting equality among all students.
Adding that some of the mission and catholic schools in the state do not even have Class 1, he further said that the state government and its related machinery should look into the matter and even consider cutting away the school registration since they are flouting the RTE norms. Both the representatives of the two student groups also maintained that it was unfortunate that the silence of the Education Minister has remained silent on the matter despite condemnations by various parents and student groups. The two student groups has also warned all schools going ahead with their entrance tomorrow should bear all responsibility if any unwanted incidents happen with regard to the admission processes.