Imphal, Feb 12 : The teachers of all government higher secondary schools today issued an ultimatum to Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh to revoke suspension orders against the eight teachers or face boycott of three important upcoming examinations.
“We demand that the government revoke the suspension orders by February 20. If the government fails to reinstate the teachers, we will boycott the forthcoming school examinations,” the spokesman for the All Government Higher Secondary Lecturers’ Welfare Association, N. Devendra Singh, told the media today.
The Ibobi Singh government suspended eight teachers, including six principals, last month on charges of preventing the students from participating in the Republic Day celebrations.
Of the eight teachers, police arrested seven.
The court of the chief judicial magistrate, Imphal, M. Padmeshore Singh, released the teachers on bail on January 30.
The teachers’ threat came a day after the students of higher secondary schools began an agitation yesterday demanding immediate revocation of the suspension orders.
The students of six government higher secondary schools today held a sit-in at C.C. Higher Secondary School in Imphal East today.
“The teachers faced serious threats and they highlighted their plight. Taking action against the teachers instead of considering the threat perception is nothing but victimisation of the teachers who faced threats of physical harm,” Devendra Singh said.
A general body meeting of the association yesterday reviewed the situation.
“We do not blame the chief minister and the education minister. The suspension orders were issued following false information provided by the education director and joint director Th. Iboyaima,” Devendra Singh said.
The teachers said they would wait for the government’s response till February 20. “If the government does not revoke the suspension orders by the deadline, the general body of our association will meet the next day. It will take a final decision on boycott of the examinations,” Devendra Singh said.
Final examinations of Classes XI, XII and matriculation examinations will start simultaneously from February 27. “If the situation prevails, it will affect the performances of the students,” Devendra Singh said.