By: Aribam Bishwajit
Imphal, Aug 22:
In the radiant corridors of power, the government proudly lauds its efforts toward elevating the educational landscape. But just 18 kilometers away from the heart of Imphal, the village of Kadangband narrates a tale far removed from these grand proclamations—a tale of aspiration, neglect, and undying resilience.
While parents in Imphal main areas enjoy the routine of sending their children to regular school classes, many guarding Manipur’s plains against Kuki militant attacks at the foothills grapple with challenges. These range from financial constraints and remote locations to a scarcity of quality schools, impacting their children’s education.
Indeed, the omnipresent threat of the Kuki militants has changed life’s very geography. Kadangband, once easily accessible, now requires a rerouted journey, lengthening the distance by an additional five kilometers.
Schools that once brimmed with promise, like the Little Seed Preschool and Smart Stalk School, now stand muted by militant aggression. This leaves parents with a heart-wrenching choice—to enroll their children in Kadangband Upper Primary School. A school that, despite its newly accorded High School status, grapples with having just two educators on board.
Krishna Lal Bishwakarma, the Headmaster of Kadangband High School, expressed deep concern over the school’s dire staffing situation. With eight diverse classes and over 90 students ranging from Class I to VIII, the institution struggles with a mere staff strength of two, including himself.
He despondently remarks, “My school has over 90 students from Class I to Class VIII, but the staff strength is only two. Therefore, we don’t know how to teach all the students. Now, we are clueless.” His sentiment is accentuated by the fact that their pleas for additional teaching staff, made as early as 2021, have been met with silence.
While once the school sheltered a low count of 35 pupils due to a lack of teachers, the escalating conflict has seen this number soar to 90 and counting. “We have the infrastructure to house them, but without the necessary teaching staff, the essence of education is lost,” Bishwakarma states, a hint of helplessness evident.
Maibam Rakesh, a dedicated primary teacher from Thangmeiband, has served the Kadangband High School since 2012. His daily commitment ensures students remain engaged and passionate about learning. However, with only two staff members, including himself, effectively running the school remains a monumental challenge.
“Given our limited staff, many parents have felt compelled to move their children to other institutions like the Phayeng High School,” Rakesh shared. “Despite most families not being financially affluent, they prioritized their children’s education, seeking better prospects elsewhere.”
He went on to describe the immense challenge faced by just two teachers overseeing eight diverse classes, emphasizing the inefficiency of such an arrangement.
“With only two of us, keeping students of different grades in separate classrooms is impractical. As a result, we often combine two or even three grades into one room. While teaching one group, I’m also responsible for overseeing the others in the same space,” he explained, emphasizing the urgent need for governmental support to increase the teaching staff to meet the students’ educational requirements.
Chinglen, serving as the general secretary of the local club, Kadangband Apunba Naharol, knows the village’s pulse and plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the village. He detailed the deployment of over 150 men who diligently shield the community from the persistent threats posed by the Kuki militants. Amid these defense efforts, Chinglen’s concern also gravitates toward the future of the village’s youth.
Highlighting the multifaceted challenges, from militant threats to water issues, Chinglen drew attention to the educational plight in Kadangband. While students in other parts of the state enjoy school routines, those in his village face an educational deficit, with the primary Government school critically understaffed.
“It deeply concerns me,” Chinglen expressed, “that our local school, the Kadangband Upper Primary, has only two teachers for its students. We’ve reached out to our representatives, hoping for reinforcements in teaching staff. Yet, our appeals seem to go unanswered,” the dedicated general secretary lamented.
In the face of governmental inaction, Chinglen took matters into his own hands, convening a meeting with students’ parents and the Meira Paibis to address the challenges faced by Kadangband’s students. They collectively decided to bolster the teaching strength of Kadangband High School by deploying volunteers.
“Post our discussions, we decided to introduce five qualified volunteers to bridge the educational gap temporarily. While this provides a brief respite, it’s a makeshift solution. We genuinely need a sustainable solution for the long-term educational needs of our students,” Chinglen passionately expressed, urging community members and student organizations across the state to rally behind Kadangband’s students and support their academic pursuits.
Manipur’s residents, whether in the hills or the valleys, are traversing challenging times. While the government proclaims advancements in education, the stark reality at Kadangband and its sole government school underscores a disconcerting oversight by the authorities in bolstering the education sector. The commendable endeavors of the two dedicated teachers, local clubs, parents, and volunteers in shielding their village and championing the students’ futures deserve recognition. Above all, it’s imperative for the government to step in, ensuring that the aspirations and hopes of the village’s children and parents aren’t left unfulfilled.
