ANSAM, KSO reject Govt stand on Alt Eng
Source: The Sangai Express

Kangpokpi, December 03 2015: The Kuki Students' Organization, GHQs (KSO) and All Naga Students' Association, Manipur (ANSAM) have jointly rejected the State Government's decision to remove Additional English in the scheme of study at the IX and X standards under the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) .

In connection with the Government's decision, the two student bodies along with representatives of all the Private Schools Associations based in the five hill districts had a joint meeting today and discussed the problems and challenges faced by the students' community in the hill districts after the new order from the State Board removing Additional English said a joint press communiqu� signed by Seiboi Haokip, General Secretary, KSO-GHQs and James Inka, Asst Gen Secretary, ANSAM.

The two student bodies said that the Government's decision is nothing but a deliberate attempt to curb equal opportunity and freedom to pursue one's own choice of language to study while adding that it has put the tribal population in a disadvantaged position as unlike Manipuri language which has received benevolent support from the State, none of the tribal language, whether recognized or unrecognized, have received basic support to advance their own literature.

It also recalled that ANSAM had approached the authority concerned and the State Government to take immediate action and submitted a memorandum to the State Education Minister, M Okendro Singh in November to revoke the order after organizing a wide discussion with parents, affected students both in the hills and valley, experts in the field and teachers concerned.

However, despite the urgency of the matter and putting the career of thousands of students at stake the Government has chosen to remain silent, it further added.

The two student bodies also alleged that the decision of the Government ignores the social fabric of the State which is home to a large number of linguistically diverse social groups.

"It is a fact that only few tribal languages are recognized in the State Education Board.

Thus students belonging to the smaller tribes will face huge problem in pursuing higher education", KSO and ANSAM said while warning that the two student bodies will stand firm against any undemocratic decision of the State Government.

It also said that the State Education Board has placed December 16 as the last date for submission of the upcoming examination form for X Standard in the State.

However, since the State Government has not taken any step with regard to the grievances of the tribal students of the State, the Students' Associations have communicated to all the Principals of the schools based in the hill districts not to submit the examination forms.

The two student bodies also warned that since the matter is about the future of all the tribal people in the State, going against the directive of the students' bodies will not be tolerated.

The student bodies will not rest until justice is done to the tribal people and equal respect is given to all the tribal students in the State, said KSO and ANSAM while adding that student bodies will meet shortly to take further course of action.

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