Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 13:
Officials of Manipur university, Council of higher Secondary Education and the Board of Secondary Education have been instructed to submit reports on feasibility of extending wide- spread education on Meetei Mayek and its effective implementation, said Works Minister Th Debendra who is currently dispensing charges as the Chief Minister.
In an exclusive chat with The Sangai Express at his office chamber, Debendra said through inclusion of the indigenous script recognised by the Government in the school curricula for students of class I and II steps are being taken to make Meetei Mayek a compulsory subject in a phased manner.
Maintaining that the SPF Government is according top priority on implementing the script effectively with the MU authorities already chipping in with suggestions/procedures of how to calculate marks in case Meetei Mayek examinations are conducted, said the Chief Minister in-charge.
On the other hand, CHSE and BSEM officials have been asked to place their respective report on the matter besides issuing instructions to the officials for further deliberation on Meetei Mayek to avoid future complication, if any, informed the Works Minister.
On measures for effective implementation of the script and to find an amicable solution to the current impasse, he informed that consultations held with representatives of social and student bodies like the AMUCO, UCM, MSF and DESAM have been fruitful, with all of them providing constructive suggestions and opinions even though a final and acceptable solution proved elusive during the meetings.
Stating that hectic efforts are on to arrive at an appropriate formula with inputs provided by social organisations and report of the MU, Debendra said after return of the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on April 17 discussions would be held to announce a consensus formula.
On his personal view-point on the script issue, he said importance of first enabling the general people read and write the Meetei Mayek cannot be undermined as replacing Bengali script with the indigenous one would not be time consuming in case there is widespread acceptance and the script gains extensive popularity.
He also mooted extensive conduct of awareness and orientation campaigns in order to facilitate non-complicated introduction of Meetei Mayek in the nook and corner of the State.