NHRC issues notice to Arunachal Pradesh on denial of admission to Chakma students

By Tejang Chakma

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the state government of Arunachal Pradesh seeking a report on the issue of denial of admission to Chakma students to secondary schools in Changlang district in the current academic session.

Taking cognisance of a complaint filed by leading human rights organization, Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR), the NHRC has asked the Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh to submit a report within two weeks.

At least 88 Chakma students, including more than 25 girls, are yet to be given admission to class IX in secondary schools under Miao Sub-Division in Changlang district in this academic session. The admission process started in July this year. The students have been denied admission despite clear orders from the higher authorities to the school authorities to admit these students to avoid academic loss.

But, the school authorities refused to admit these students on the ground of overcrowding, lack of infrastructure, lack of adequate number of teachers, etc in the schools.

This problem has been going on for several years. Out of the 88 students, 10 students are of previous academic session (2009-2010) who have been waiting for admission since then after passing out from their village elementary school.

As a result, the right to education of the Chakma children is blatantly violated due to denial of admission, resulting in their future being uncertain.