No school admissions till teachers are deployed, says Yimkhiung student body

DIMAPUR — An indefinite stir called by the Yimkhiung Akheru Arihako (YAA) to protest the department of School Education’s failure in addressing the shortage of teachers in government schools began on Friday.

Peaceful public rallies were held simultaneously at the YAA headquarters in Shamator, the administrative sub-division of Pungro, Chessore, and in all schools under Yimkhiung jurisdiction.

A memorandum was submitted to the Principal Director, Directorate of School Education (DoSE) through the respective administrative officers, stating that no school admissions would be allowed to take place in Yimkhiung area, until and unless the requisite numbers of teachers are deployed.

‘The union will remain steadfast in its quest in the larger interest of the student community,’ it asserted.

Notably, the YAA had pointed out in its ultimatum served to the DoSE on Jan. 18, that there is shortage of 64 primary teachers, 85 language teachers, 50 undergraduate Hindi teachers, 22 graduate English teachers, 16 SS/general teachers, 20 mathematics teachers, 18 science teachers and 5 post graduate teachers.

According to an update, leaders from Yimkhiung Tribal Council (YTC), Yimkhiung Womens’ Organisation (YWO), Pungro Area College Union (PACSU), Yimkhiung Youth Organisation (YYO), Shamator Town Public Forum (STPF), village and town council officials, YAA federating units, as well as students and citizens from different walks of life participated in the rallies and extended solidarity to the cause.

Following the rallies, the participants marched towards the administrative offices of the deputy commissioner of Shamator, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Pungro, and Sub Divisional Officer of Chessore, holding placards and shouting slogans to express their resentment.

As per the update, during the rallies, solidarity messages were delivered by the leaders of various civil society organisations.

It said that YAA vice president Kiuthrun, general secretary Toshikhiung, and speaker Lemchemong addressed the gathering in Shamator, Chessore and Pungro respectively, expounding the message that the ‘tepid response’ from the government over the pivotal issue despite several representations from the union, and the failure to comply with the 14-day ultimatum could be interpreted as a ‘lackadaisical attitude’ that is jeopardising the career of the students.

Also read: Yimkhiung Akherü Arihako serves ultimatum to DoSE over shortage of teachers