By Tejang Chakma published in Merinews on 5 June 2012
There are no secondary schools in the 18 villages despite having substantial student population. There are two higher secondary schools in the circles but these schools are out of bound for the Chakmas since long. The school authorities refuse admission on the grounds of overcrowding, lack of infrastructure and teaching staff, etc.
In the absence of secondary schools and denial of admission in the two schools, the Chakma students were forced to seek admission at far away schools in Diyun circle and studying there. However, since the academic session 2010-11, the schools under Diyun circle refuse to admit Chakma students of the 18 villages on the ground of outside of jurisdiction and overcrowding. This is one of the main reasons for the admission crisis among the Chakma students.
The May 30 order of the DSE was issued following submission of memorandum by the village heads and guardians.
However, in blatant non-compliance of the order the schools authorities refused to admit the students. Out of the 91 students, 10 students completed their upper primary education during 2010-11. They lost two years in a row.
The admission crisis has not been taken seriously by the state government. There is a proposal to upgrade some of the middle schools in the Chakma inhabited areas. For example, a government inspection team recommended upgradation of Ratnapur middle school but the school is yet to be upgraded. If upgraded at least half of the admission problem would have been resolved.
The situation demands urgent action but the authorities have done nothing despite being informed by the villagers. The situation will only turn worst if no immediate action is taken. The pressure on secondary education is increasing every year. For instance, over 100 Chakma students are awaiting admission to Class IX for the ensuing session apart from the drop out students. It has becomes extremely necessary to upgrade the existing schools due to increase in student population for secondary education.
It is unfortunate that at a time when the Centre has been taking measures to universalize secondary education of good quality available, accessible and affordable to all, the State Government has failed to make secondary education accessible to the Chakma students.
ON MAY 30,
2012, the Director of Secondary Education (DSE) of Arunachal Pradesh ordered
the Headmasters and Principals of secondary and higher secondary schools of
Diyun, Miao and Kharsang circles in Changlang district to admit Chakma and
Hajong students in the current academic session 2012-13.
Chakma
students of 18 villages under Miao and Kharsang circles in Changlang district
have been dropping out after upper primary level. Last year, at least 91
students, including 29 girls, had to involuntarily drop out of schools. 10
students dropped out during 2010-11 academic session.
There are no secondary schools in the 18 villages despite having substantial student population. There are two higher secondary schools in the circles but these schools are out of bound for the Chakmas since long. The school authorities refuse admission on the grounds of overcrowding, lack of infrastructure and teaching staff, etc.
In the absence of secondary schools and denial of admission in the two schools, the Chakma students were forced to seek admission at far away schools in Diyun circle and studying there. However, since the academic session 2010-11, the schools under Diyun circle refuse to admit Chakma students of the 18 villages on the ground of outside of jurisdiction and overcrowding. This is one of the main reasons for the admission crisis among the Chakma students.
The May 30 order of the DSE was issued following submission of memorandum by the village heads and guardians.
Interestingly,
similar order was issued last year by the DSE when the village heads/guardians
approached him to allow admission of the Chakma students and to upgrade the
existing middle schools in the Chakma areas. The DSE in a letter (Memo
No.EDA.107/99-2000) dated October 21, 2011 through the Deputy Commissioner and
Deputy Director of School Education, Changlang district directed the school
heads of Miao, Innao, Diyun, Sompoi and Kharsang to admit 91 students in
proportionate sharing basis and to forward the names of the admitted students
to the Central Board of Secondary Education for registration to avoid loss.
However, in blatant non-compliance of the order the schools authorities refused to admit the students. Out of the 91 students, 10 students completed their upper primary education during 2010-11. They lost two years in a row.
The admission crisis has not been taken seriously by the state government. There is a proposal to upgrade some of the middle schools in the Chakma inhabited areas. For example, a government inspection team recommended upgradation of Ratnapur middle school but the school is yet to be upgraded. If upgraded at least half of the admission problem would have been resolved.
The situation demands urgent action but the authorities have done nothing despite being informed by the villagers. The situation will only turn worst if no immediate action is taken. The pressure on secondary education is increasing every year. For instance, over 100 Chakma students are awaiting admission to Class IX for the ensuing session apart from the drop out students. It has becomes extremely necessary to upgrade the existing schools due to increase in student population for secondary education.
It is unfortunate that at a time when the Centre has been taking measures to universalize secondary education of good quality available, accessible and affordable to all, the State Government has failed to make secondary education accessible to the Chakma students.
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