SACSAS Academy Site Visit Report Manipur By Biju Bor Baruah
Date- 27-8-07 Laishoi School: SACSAS Academy has been receiving help from Asha since 2005. This institution is situated in Moirang, Bishnupur District, about 40 k.m. away from Imphal, the capital of Manipur. Rose and I met at the Imphal Airport on 26 August. I do not understand Manipuri language so I called Rose to accompany me and help me as translator. Surjit and Jeeten came to receive us. I have been to Imphal but looking to the present day s situation they came to receive us. We left for Moirang from Radha and Lata s house. SACSAS Academy is presently running the 5 Schools. These schools are far away from Moirang. Distance from Moirang Town to SACSAS Academy in Laishoi is 5 km. We headed for Laishoi school on 27 th at 9.30 am. Because of heavy rain fall on the previous day, we had to leave the vehicle half way. This school was started on 5 th March of 2003. This school is close to Loktak Lake, a very beautiful sight. This region is populated by mostly Maitei non-tribal families. Because of the absence of any Government school there were difficulties for the education of small boys and girls. The SACSAS Academy created this facility starting from the year 2003. Schedule of the School From 9.30 to 2.30 Class Nursery up to class 3 Total Teachers- 5 Total Students 50 Name of teachers- 1. Mr.T. Bishwojit Singh (Vice Principle) 2. Ms. Kh. Bala Devi (Asst. Teacher) 3. Mr.Kh.Ibomcha Singh (Asst. Teacher) 4. Ms. O Bueta Devi (Asst. Teacher) 5. Mr. S. Kunjababu Singh (Principle) A list of the School Development Committee 1. Mr. T, Surjaboro Sing - President 2. Mr. H. Ranjit Singh - Vice President 3. Mr. N. Ibohal Singh- Secretary 4. Mr. T. Biren Singh Joint. Secretary 5. A. Shyamkesho Singh- Financer
Members- 1. Kh. Joy Singh 2. Sh. Madhu Singh 3. M. Samjai Singh 4. S. Kumjababu Singh The reason of 5 Teachers for 50 students is because of many subjects taught. Painting made by Laishoi school student Kwakta Village, Dist- Bishnupur School Chairman Letkhopao Secretary. - Jangkholun 2. V.N, Model English Junior High school: The school was established in 1979. There is a Government School close to this school. The reason for establishing this school is that people say that the Govt. school does not function well. Moreover, the large number of tribal boys and girls of hill villages find it difficult in getting admission and finally, the boys and girls are sent to this school for good education. The present secretary T.H. Jangkholun gives honorarium to the school committee for the teachers Rs. 15000/- per year. This is also used for books for students. Sometimes more than this is given. For other expenses, in addition to that, a fee is charged from the students. The managing committee also donates. But because of financial constraints other Govt. Departments have also been approached. But because of non receipt of help the school is on the way to closing. One day they approached the SACSAS Academy office with the request for help. Surjit of SACSAS gave funds for play materials and also books. We also went to the classrooms after looking into accounts and meeting the committee members. There are people of various communities in the Committees. They are as follows: Community of the area- Haokip, Gangte, Meitei, Muslim Total No. Students- 230 Class-Nursery to class-ix schedule- 9.30 to 2.30 Total Teachers- 11
Name of Teachers- 1. Mr. Royandro Principal 2. Mr. Rameshor Singh Teacher 3. Mr. Joy Singh 4. Mr. Hemhoulen 5. Mr. Thangkhopao 6. Mr. Onminlal 7. Ms. Ruma Devi 8. Ms. Momina 9. Ms. Surbala Devi 10. Mr. Tomba Singh 11. Mr. Manikumar Singh Name of School Development Committee- 1. Mr.V. T. Letpao - Chairman 2. Mr. TH. Jangkholun- Secy. 3. Mr. P. Sanglen Member 4. Mr. D.K. Chongthu ditto 5. Mr. Kimboi Treasure 6. Mr. Diven Member 7. Mr. Kasim Macha ditto We learned from our talk with the committee members that the salary is very small because of poor tribal students paying only small amounts. SACSAS helps only with reading materials. 3. Ujung Makhong village school, Churachanpur District. This school is nearly 7 km from Moirang. This school has been started this year only. The inhabitants of this village are also tribals. This school offers Nursery to class II classes. Along with visiting the school we talked to the villagers about the very low number of students. Because this area is totally hilly students from 2 or 3 villages come to this school. They are very happy. After establishing this school, there is a lack of funds because it is in the hilly area, but even so boys and girls come from many villages. At present there are 45 students and 2 teachers. Name of the teachers 1. Ms. Boishi Gangte- 2. Mr. Minlun Gangte -
List of the VEDC members: 1. Mr. Kailam Gangte- Chairman 2. Mr. Seilen Secretary 3. Mr. Lalmang Finance 4. Mr. Paopu Sitlhou Treasure 5. Mr. Paocha Sitlhou Advisor 4. Maovam school We could not visit this school on first day because of rains. The next day we visited the school leaving the vehicle mid way and walking the distance. We walked 6 km. The school building is improved from what it was in the past. But in spite of that because of its situation at the foot hills the class rooms were filled with mud & water of rains. So the boys and girls were finding difficulty in sitting. We had met the President and Secretary of the school. On way to school everybody had to walk through mud. That is why we could not meet others than the teachers. This school is running since 2004. Total number of students is 57, in classes Nursery to class III. Maovam school students Maovam school student in reading period
5. Loilamkot School My visit to Loilamkot, Dist. Churchanpur in Manipur could not be completed because of very heavy rains. One has to walk 15 mils to Loilamkot. The road to Loilamkot is hilly. So it was impossible. However I collected required information s from there office situated at Moirang. It is 40 km driving from Imphal. The details are given below. If required, the visit to Loilamkot will happen after the rain that is between Nov. and March. The inhabitants of this area are mostly tribal people. List of the teachers: 1. Mr. Thangpao Haokip 2. Ms. Tinnu Haokip Classes: Nursery to class II Total Students: 45 Name of School Development Committee Members: 1. Mr. Sorkhogin Haokip Chairman 2. Mr. Hegin Haokip Secy. 3. Mr. Khaimang Haokip Member 4. Mr. Yamkhohoo Haokip do 5. Mr. Khaitthang Haokip do The number of teachers in some of the schools is more than required as per number of student but when we consider the number of subjects, the number of teachers is all right. The other situation is that teachers or organisations from outside are afraid to go to that area because of the disturbed and insecure situation. In the interest of the education of the children of this far-flung area the effort of the people is praiseworthy. So I recommend this case.
Photos of Manipur Visit Laishoi: rain season landslide Moirang: buses don t exist so women are forced to travel outside jeep. Litang: women work and nurse at the same time (carrying banana tree products to market) Laishoi: school office room and staff. Laishoi: story chart (reading material) Ujung Makhong School children Laishoi school Flood Area of Maovam village