Imphal, June 10, 2020 (DIPR): Education Minister Dr. Thokchom Radheshyam today chaired the review meeting of School Education held at the Conference Hall of State Project Office, SamagraShiksha, Babupara.
The main agenda included the feasibility and modalities of re-opening of the Schools in the post COVID-19 period, timely completion of incomplete construction works, School Uniform and shortages of teachers.
The Minister stated that the pandemic has not only affected all walks of life, but has hit the education sector as well. Closures of schools have not only affected the school, academics but also the psychology of the child. He expressed that after the lockdown the education sector would be under tremendous pressure.
The Minister reminded the ZEOs to be more vigilant and proactive to ensure that all guidelines and protocols of the lockdown are strictly adhered to while implementing the directives of the government. He said the reports of teachers conducting private tuitions and coaching classes have come from different quarters. Any teacher if found conducting private tuitions and coaching classes during this time of crisis where social and physical distancing is paramount will be severely dealt with. All the ZEOs should make it clear to every teacher in their respective zones. If any report of such deviations comes to the government, the ZEO concerned will also be held accountable, the Minister cautioned.
The issue of shortages of teachers was also discussed in the meeting. The Minister said that uniforms being prerequisite to schooling must reach on time to the students without compromising the quality of the uniforms. He urged the officers to work considering the ground reality for the welfare of the students.
During the meeting, Dr. Th. Radheshyam also directed to set December, 2020 as target for completion of all the pending components of civil works approved by MHRD. Issues and objections on completion of the said works should be identified to meet targets, he added.
Director, Education (S), Shri Th. Kirankumar expressed that safety and the welfare of the students are to be kept paramount for re-opening of the Schools in the post COVID-19 period. He said that for reopening of schools, all stakeholders, in particular the Health Department, Home Department would have to be consulted before taking any decisions.
Commissioner, Education (S) emphasised that all the required SOP shall have to be issued and followed in the post Covid-19 period at least for sometime before normalcy is achieved.
Jt. Secy. Shri L.Nandakumar, Addl. Director of Schools/Hill & Valley, officials of the Education Engineering Wing and all the Zonal Education Officers attended the meeting. (DIPR)