Nine community-run schools demanding ad hoc grant-in-aid status in Mizoram which have been on strike for the past one month called off their road blockade on Saturday. However, backed by student organisations of their respective villages, these schools vowed to take more drastic measures if their demands are not met by the government.
Community-run higher secondary schools from Sakawrdai, Farkawn, W Phaileng, Zawlnuam, E Lungdar, NE Khawdungsei, Phullen, Zobawk and Thingsulthliah have been organising shutter down demonstration for the past one month demanding ad hoc grant-in-aid status.
The agitating teachers and students organised a road blockade for the past three days but the state government has stated strongly that the demands made by the agitating teachers and students could not be met due to unavailability of funds.
The state education minister H Rohluna said community-run schools which get an annual grant from the state government has all declared that they could run the schools by themselves when they were granted permission to start schools.
“The state government wanted each and every school in the state to become ad hoc grant-in-aid schools but due to lack of funds, it is not possible,” the minister said.
Over 500 students who joined their teachers have already skipped school for the past month.
Student organisations of the respective villages have joined hands and formed joint students union. The union stated that more drastic measure would be taken until their demands are met by the state government.