The ethnic violence in the north-eastern state of Manipur has resulted in the displacement of more than 14,000 schoolchildren, as per information shared by federal Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi in the Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament) on Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question by Trinamool Congress parliamentarian Dola Sen, the minister said: “A total of 14,763 school-going children have been displaced due to the current Manipur situation. A nodal officer has been appointed for each relief camp to facilitate the admission process of the displaced students”.
She further added that more than 93 per cent of the displaced children have been admitted to the nearest feasible school, free of cost.
Sen asked whether the government had data of school-going children who have been dislocated due to the current Manipur crisis and had any mapping of such children being done for rehabilitation purposes.
The unrest in Manipur has taken a huge toll on the education system, as the state government extended the summer vacation until 4 July, while many students have fled the state with their families due to the violence.
Apart from this, the government is using schools as relief camps and for other purposes. As per media reports, out of 4,617 schools, 96 are being used for the same, resulting in loss of academic activities.