IMPHAL, June 20: The government is sincerely making efforts to improve the education sector of Manipur. But all of 60 MLAs, who are members of the House must take responsibility and invest 50% of their local development fund (LADF) even if only for once in a year so as to improve the education sector in their own constituencies.
This was stated by Education Minister when Demand No 10 for education sector tabled by the CM Okram Ibobi Singh was discussed today.
Invest 30% only if not 50% said the Minister trying to coax his colleagues and other MLAs.
During the discussion, Minister M Okendro replied to the Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut raised by eight opposition MLAs, Motion for Token Cut by an MLA and observations made by five MLAs including that of the Ruling MLA, Parliamentary Secretary of Horticulture and Soil conservation and Science and Technology, Vungzagin Valte.
It is true that the budget for Education which is one of the most important demands is very low, however separate funds under Sarbha Siksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan from Human Resource Development (HRD)
The Minister placed the details about actions taken up by the state government for primary, upper primary, Junior High School, High School under Right to Education Act, SSA and RMSA which are part of flagship programs of the centre.
He informed of the number of teachers recruited for separate schools under these programs and stated that all possible infra structures have also been provided.
Citing that School Management and Development committees (SMDC) considered funds sanctioned under SSA for the improvement of the conditions of the schools to be mere contract work, he further said that when the efforts were made to monitor funds under SSA by upgrading the education cell to a Wing as there were irregularities in taking up development programs of the schools under SMDC, various cases have been filed on the charge that guidelines of the government of India were violated and the matter remains pending.
Stating that rationalisation of post for teachers based on pupil-teacher ratio (PTR) will be implemented within the current month, he said that though there has been transfer and posting policy of the state since 1996, it will be modified and will be implemented at the earliest. Now, there are about 1317 adhoc employees in the education department, he said. The education Minister also informed that the government has plans for regularisation of the said adhoc employees after finding out the exact number by obtaining approval of DP and Finance along with adhoc employees in other departments as a onetime measure.