Principal complies with NCPCR order, Chakma students admitted finally

After days of ignoring the orders of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the principal of a government school in Arunachal Pradesh finally admitted students belonging to the Chakma community in the school.

As per information received by this writer, P Nebang, Principal of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Miao under Changlang district admitted nine Chakma students to Class IXth and Class XI on 13 September 2012. Of these, two students were issued school leaving certificates (SLCs) and forced to move out last month along with another six students. The Miao school has 15 Chakma students now. 

The Chakma students have been allowed in the school only after unrelenting interventions by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights. The apex child rights body has issued a number of directions to the state authorities to admit Chakma students in the school. But, the orders were ignored, forcing the NCPCR to issue a fresh order to the principal to readmit the students.

This writer was also informed that the admitted Chakma have been asked to deposit CBSE registration fee.

It is pertinent to mention that more than 80 Chakma students were denied admission last year on the ground that the students approached for admission late, as a result of which, permission of the CBSE for late registration could not be obtained. This is an excuse as the students had approached the schools since start of the admission process.

Principal declines to readmit Chakma students

By Tejang Chakma

In a complete defiance of order of the apex child rights body, the Principal of Govt. Higher Secondary School, Miao in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh refused to readmit the Chakma students. Eight Chakma students who were given admission at the school were issued transfer certificates last month. The students were asked to take admission in a newly upgraded secondary school in another administrative circle, which has neither infrastructure nor teaching staff.

Recently, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights asked the state government to direct the Principal to take back the students in the school. On 7 September 2012, the eight students met the Principal but of no avail. The Principal categorically told them that they will not be readmitted.

This writer has learned that the school authorities of newly upgraded secondary school, where the students have been asked to proceed, also decided not to admit them.

The CBSE registration will also start shortly. Once the registration is done, these students will lose one precious academic year.

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is now the only ray of hope for these students.