Newmai News Network
Imphal | September 3
As the country is set to celebrate Teachers' Day on September 5, the Joint Students’ Coordination Committee (JSCC) announced boycott of the celebration of the event.
The JSCC is a conglomeration of All Manipur Students' Union (AMSU), Kangleipak Students' Association (KSA), Manipur Students' Federation (MSF) and the Students' Union of Kangleipak (SUK).
Even though they gave the reasons behind the boycott of the day "as ugly face of competition of gifts given to the teachers", the JSCC urged the students of schools and colleges to celebrate the day on another day, preferably on October 5, the International Teachers’ Day.
The JSCC announced its decision to boycott the celebration of Teachers’ Day on September 5, the day on which India celebrates, the apex body of student bodies expressed concerned over the manner the day is being celebrated.
The current trend of celebration of the day in Manipur has reduced the relationship between the students and teachers into a “mere luxury” one, JSCC convenor, Peter Laishram told reporters at a press conference held at AMSU office in Imphal on Tuesday. "The trend of competition in giving gifts to the teachers on this occasion has undermined the spirit if Teachers' Day", he stated. The student leader then added by saying that a question of poor students unable to give their "sincere gifts" at their affordable limit crops up because of the rising competition in giving gifts to the teachers. "If such trend continues then it will greatly affect the true relationship between the students and teachers", he further added.
According to Peter Laishram, in order to protect the true relationship between the students and teachers, the JSCC decided to boycott celebration of the day. He then appealed schools, colleges and other educational institutions to stay away from organising functions to celebrate the day on September 5.
