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.