Govt should ensure the prescribed SOP for education sector is being followed: SUK
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 08 2021: Students' Union of Kangleipak has urged the State Government to ensure that the guidelines and SOP set for the education sector are being followed in connection with the pandemic.

In a statement, SUK remarked that with physical classes resuming from November 10 for students above class IX, the Government needs to keep a close watch on schools, colleges, universities etc.

There is a need for the Government and school authority to jointly educate the students about COVID-19 and impart more awareness about the relevant SOP, the statement added.

In regards to the office memorandum issued by Higher and Technical Education, the concerned authorities need to ascertain that the directions given in the memorandum as well as the District Level Task Force Committees mentioned are functioning by the book, SUK maintained in their press release.

Further, SUK stated that it is essential to inspect Government institutions and see if SOPs are being followed in their premises.

The press release from SUK also made mention of hostels and boardings and appealed to the owners to refrain from rooming a large number of students together in a single room.

In the same vein, SUK echoed similar sentiment in terms of tuition/coaching centers, school van/bus services and urged the people providing these services to limit the number of students as a measure to combat the spread of Covid.

However, it is too late for the Government to open a dialogue with the relevant associations involved in school/van services, tuition/coaching centers, hostel/boarding etc to figure out ways to ensure students' safety, the statement relayed.

SUK also laid down a fair warning against charging excessive fees from students' and cautioned against such practices.

The statement also touched upon the topic of mistreatment of teachers in private schools and called it unfortunate.

Further, SUK cautioned the school authority against paying the teachers less than their prescribed salary after collecting the admission and monthly fee from students in full.

It added that the concerned authority will have to bear the consequences of this malpractice if it ever occurs.

SUK also urged the Govt to look into this matter and ensure that the teachers are receiving their fair pay.

With the emergence of the Omicron variant, SUK appealed to the relevant authorities to take extreme precaution when dealing with out-of-state students and to only allow their participation in physical classes after they have been proven to be Covid negative.

SUK has also taken it upon itself to inspect hostel/boardings to ensure their adherence to SOPs.

The statement appealed to all concerned authorities of schools, colleges and universities to follow the rules and regulations laid down by the State Government for the common welfare of all students.

Comment