KYKL warns institutions neglecting mother tongue
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 10 2013 :
Observing that students who have been newly promoted to class IX have been facing a dilemma whether they should take Manipuri (mother tongue) or Alternative English, the proscribed KYKL has warned that schools which despise or neglect Manipuri language/subject would be shut down.
A press release issued by the outfit's publicity and research secretary A Yaiphaba said that teachers in some Catholic schools, schools affiliated to CBSE and some other schools have been prompting young students to choose Alternative English in place of Manipuri or other subjects in mother tongues.
These teachers have been trying to influence the young students by saying that it would be easier to score high marks in Alternative English than other subjects in mother tongues.
As a result, not even 10 per cent of class IX students studying in Catholic schools take Manipuri.
This is nothing but murder of Manipuri language, the outfit asserted.
The notion that it would be easier to score high marks in Alternative English as compared to Manipuri is no longer applicable.
More and more candidates appearing in IAS/IPS exams and MCS/MPS exams conducted by MPSC have started choosing Manipuri.
It is not justifiable to discriminate students who opted for Manipuri or other subjects in mother tongues.
They should be treated equally with their fellow students, the outfit asserted.
KYKL has already started investigation into the reports that some schools have been deliberately discouraging students from taking Manipuri and other subjects in mother tongues.
If the reports turn out to be true, the particular schools would be shut down for good, and those teachers who advised students against taking Manipuri or other subjects in mother would be given the severest punishment, it said.
It asserted that mother tongue or native language is the soul of a nation.