Education Minister of Manipur -- T Radheshyam -- said on Saturday that during a surprise visit, he found goats occupying two empty classrooms of a school in Khelakhong, Imphal West.

According to Radheshyam, there were no students in spite of the fact that school authorities claimed a "comfortable number of students".

The school made the false claim and the reason behind showing more number of students was to get mid-day meals, books and school uniforms from the government on a regular basis.

Radheshyam made surprise visits to some schools under Mayang Imphal and Wabagai assembly constituencies on Saturday.

It was embarrassing that students were not present in some schools and the school buildings are in bad shapes. New buildings will have to be constructed if the existing ones cannot be repaired. - T Radheshyam

"There was no student in some schools and some teachers were also absent. The teachers will be suspended for not taking disciplinary action (against students)," he added.

REVELATION TIME

Manipur education minister was told by local residents that about five years ago, there were nearly 200 students in the school Khelakhong, while another school claimed that there were 32 students. However, Radheshyam found that there were only two students.

Another school had claimed to have 72 students, but there were just 16.

The headmaster had informed T Radheshyam that apart from himself, there were two teachers. But, the minister found that the teachers were not in the school premises.

When the claims went down the drain, the headmaster explained to Radheshyam that the teachers had gone for some work.

However, not satisfied with this explanation, the minister said that appropriate action will be taken against the absent teachers and school authorities.

The minister added that in another school, there were eight teachers and just 45 students and they had been regularly getting mid-day meals and other benefits from the government.

(With inputs from IANS)