Chandel students protest BOSEM move
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, March 30 2014:
Demanding rollback of the BOSEM's new scheme of study that had deleted Additional English subject by introducing subjects of language papers in the course of studies in the curriculum and syllabus of Class IX from the academic session 2014-15 and in Class X from next year, thousands of students took part in a protest rally jointly organized by Chandel District Private Schools Association (CDPSA) and All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) at Japhou Bazaar.
The protesters held placards that inscribed as 'Give students the right to choose subjects', 'BOSEM don't harass minority students', 'Stop language invasion', 'Restore Additional English in Class IX and X'.
The rallyists started their march from mini indoor stadium and proceeded towards DC Complex where a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister O Ibobi was submitted through Chandel DC Th Chittaranjan.
A copy of the memorandum, jointly signed by President ATSUM, Emboi Serto, President of CDPSA, TS Ngamwar and General Secretary ATSUM, Marahang Ngiimai was also forwarded to Education Minister, Chairman of HAC, Chief Secretary, GoM and Chairman of BOSEM.
The memorandum demanded that Additional English subject be included in the curriculum and syllabus until a comprehensive policy is framed for tribal languages, equal treatment be given to all the private and Government schools (hills and valley), provide teacher for MIL under Government of Manipur, reimbursement of 25 percent of admission and school fees as per RTE Act 2009 .
It is also demanded that every notification of the Board be published in all leading newspapers, late fines and correction fees for spelling mistakes and date of birth be exempted.
It also demanded for a separate counter for submission of forms/fees/books for schools of the hills, annual consultation with all heads of the school, formulation of long term policy in consultation with tribal educationist/organizations/school and sufficient language teachers in all the valley and hills.
Naga Students' Union Chandel, which also took part at the rally, submitted a separate memorandum wherein protection of tribal students right and respect of students' choice of subjects, grant-in aid to the tribals whose languages remained unrecognized by BOSEM for development of language, utilization of Government school teachers in private schools after identifying the performance of the Government schools in the district were highlighted along with the major demand of inclusion of Additional English in the new scheme of studies as well.
It cautioned the BOSEM to look into the matters seriously otherwise tribal people would demand for a separate Board for hill areas.