A Govt. School in Manipur's Tengnoupal Shut After 70+ Students Fall Sick; Teachers’ Day Postponed as KSO Demands Urgent Medical Attention

In an alarming health crisis, Sita Government High School in Manipur's Tengnoupal District has been closed indefinitely after more than 70 students suddenly fell ill, triggering panic among parents and the local community. The outbreak, suspected to be a case of common disease, typhoid, or a mosquito-borne infection, has also forced the postponement of the Teachers’ Day celebration scheduled for September 5.

The situation came to light when scores of students complained of illness one after another over the past week, leading to widespread concern. In response, the Kuki Students’ Organisation (KSO), Tengnoupal District, in collaboration with the School Management and Development Committee (SMDC), has urgently appealed to the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Tengnoupal District, to immediately dispatch a medical team to the school.

The ill students were brought to the nearest Primary Health Centre at Tengnoupal District Headquarters, located around 18 km away, for treatment. However, due to limited beds at the hospital, they were referred for home treatment/home care.

In an official letter submitted on September 2, the KSO Tengnoupal District Education Secretary, Mimin Mate, stressed the urgent need for a free medical camp and malaria fogging drive at the school premises. The letter highlights the risk of mosquito-borne diseases and calls for preventive measures to avert further escalation.

“More than 70 students are currently unwell, and it is essential to provide them with prompt medical attention and prevent the further spread of mosquito-borne diseases,” Mimin Mate stated in the letter submitted to the CMO of Tengnoupal.

Community leaders fear that without immediate medical intervention, the outbreak may worsen, putting more students at risk. Parents have also raised concerns about the lack of preventive health infrastructure in rural schools.

As the school remains closed until further notice, leaving the academic schedule disrupted, the postponed Teachers’ Day program will be rescheduled once the health crisis is under control.

This alarming development underscores the urgent need for stronger school health monitoring systems, timely medical interventions, and stricter preventive measures against water-borne and mosquito-related diseases in the hill districts of Manipur.