Chandel students protest deletion of Additional English
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 29, 2014:
Demanding rollback of the BSEM's new scheme of study in which the subject of Additional English has been deleted by introducing subjects of language papers in the Curriculum and Syllabus of Class IX from the academic session 2014-15, thousands of school going students of the district today bunked their classes to take part in a rally organized jointly by Chandel District Private School Association (CDPSA) and All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) at Japhou bazaar.
Holding placards inscribed with slogans like 'Give students Right to Choose Subjects, 'Don't Harass Minority Students', 'Stop Language Invasion', 'Restore Additional English in Class IX and X', etc, the student protestors proceeded from Mini Indoor stadium towards DC Complex where a memorandum address to Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh was submitted through the Deputy Commissioner of Chandel, Th Chittaranjan Singh IAS.
The copies of the memorandum which was jointly signed by President ATSUM Emboi Serto, President of CDPSA TS Ngamwar and General Secretary ATSUM Marahang Ngiimai were also forwarded to the Education Minister, Chairman of HAC, Chief Secretary of Government of Manipur and Chairman of BSEM.
The memorandum demanded inclusion of Additional English subject in the Curriculum and Syllabus until a comprehensive policy is frame for tribal languages, equal treatment of all private and government schools (hills and Valley), to provide teachers for MIL under government of Manipur, reimbursement of 25% of admission and school fees as per RTE, Act.
2009. It is also demanded that every notification of the Board should be published in all leading newspapers, late fines, correction fees for spelling mistakes and date of birth should be exempted and separate counter should be set up for submission of forms/fees/books for schools of the hills, annual consultation with all heads of the school be conducted, long term policy be formulated in consultation with tribal educationists/ organizations/School and sufficient language teachers be posted in all the valley and hills districts.
Taking part in the rally, Naga Students' Union Chandel also submitted a separate memorandum wherein issues related to demand for protection of tribal students right and respecting students' choice of subjects, grant-in aid to the Tribe whose languages remained un recognized by BOSEM for development of language, Utilization of Govt school teachers in Private schools after identifying the performance of the govt schools in the district were highlighted along with the major demand of inclusion of Additional English in the new scheme of studies as well were enumerated.
It also cautioned BSEM to look into the matters seriously and meticulously otherwise tribal people may compel to raise the demand for a separate Board for hills.