Imphal: The Manipuri Students Federation (MSF) claims the state government is killing public schools on purpose. General Secretary Khaidem Rabikanta Khanganba told reporters that years of teacher shortages are driving families toward private institutions. He suspects officials want the system to fail.
The federation launched an academic campaign on June 30 to inspect schools upgraded in 2021. They have already checked sites including Wangkhei, Heingang, and Sekmai Khumbi. The results are bleak. Classes are frequently canceled or never even start.
Khanganba pointed to Thanga Higher Secondary School as a prime example of the crisis. He claims only five graduate teachers handle both high school and higher secondary loads there. Local clubs now scramble to hire temporary staff just to keep doors open. "If the government intends to close public schools, it should declare so openly instead of allowing them to deteriorate through administrative neglect," he said.
MSF demands the Education Department hire enough teachers immediately. They represent families who cannot afford private fees. If the state refuses to act, the group plans to launch massive protests across Manipur.
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