Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Friday, 1 August praised students and teachers across the state for maintaining their commitment to education despite the ongoing ethnic violence that has severely disrupted normal life in Manipur. Speaking at the Awards Ceremony of the 'Incentive to Government School Students Who Excel in Higher Secondary Examination' held at the Palace Auditorium, MSFDS, Imphal, the Chief Minister said the academic community had chosen resilience over disruption.

Key Highlights of the Ceremony

This year's ceremony recognised 65 students in total — 14 State awardees and 51 District awardees. Among the schools, T.G. Higher Secondary School led the tally with 17 awardees, including 11 state position holders, followed by C.C. Higher Secondary School with 8 awards and Kakching Higher Secondary School with 5 awards. Overall, 24 awards went to schools in the hill districts and 41 awards to schools in the valley districts. The programme was conducted simultaneously in five districts — Ukhrul, Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Jiribam, and Tengnoupal — through virtual mode, with Deputy Commissioners attending at each location.

Financial Assistance Under the Scheme

Launched in 2018, the incentive scheme awards the first, second, and third state position holders with financial assistance of ₹5 lakh, ₹4 lakh, and ₹3 lakh respectively, while students securing fourth position onwards receive ₹1 lakh each. At the district level, first and second position holders receive ₹50,000 and ₹25,000 respectively. The Chief Minister noted that the scheme has fostered healthy competition among government school students and supported meritorious students in pursuing higher education.

Women's Empowerment and Iconic Figures

Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Singh highlighted the significant role played by women in Manipuri society, citing institutions such as Ima Keithel — the all-women's market — and historical figures like Rani Gaidinliu as symbols of courage and resilience. He also referenced Olympic medallist Saikhom Mirabai Chanu and her gold medal win at the ongoing Commonwealth Games, describing her achievement as a continuing source of inspiration for younger generations. He pointed to T.G. Higher Secondary School's record of 11 state position holders out of its 17 awardees as a testament to the strength of women's empowerment in the state.

School Fagathansi Mission and Ground-Level Progress

The Chief Minister recalled the launch of the School Fagathansi Mission in 2019, under which schools with very low enrolment were merged with nearby government schools as part of the 'One School Development per Constituency' initiative. Citing Chingamakha High School in his own Singjamei Assembly Constituency as an example, he noted that enrolment had grown from just 14 students when he was first elected to over 250 students today. This year, around 15 students from the school appeared in the HSLC Examination, with 8 securing first division.

Appeal Against Bandhs and Blockades

Chief Minister Singh appealed to all sections of society to refrain from bandhs, blockades, and other forms of disruption, stressing that such activities disproportionately harm students and create broader hardships. He assured that the state government remains open to meaningful dialogue with students, teachers, and all stakeholders to address their concerns. His remarks carry particular weight given that Manipur has experienced prolonged civil unrest since May 2023, with intermittent shutdowns affecting academic calendars across the state. The ceremony signals a deliberate government push to frame education as a zone of continuity even amid the conflict.