IMPHAL, February 1: Reacting to a certain news reports regarding Bengali script textbooks being used by class IX students in CBSE affiliated schools in Manipur and the alleged failure of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur to duly intimate CBSE in time regarding switching from Bengali to Meetei Mayek script, the BOSEM has clarified in a press statement that on May 7, 2011 the Board had already informed the CBSE about the conversion being taken up a phase wise manner starting with class I & II in 2006 and progressively in classes III, IV, V and so on in subsequent years.
The statement also said that it was intimated that the first batch of class X students would be taking the H.S.L.C. Examination in Meetei Mayek with effect from 2015 vide a letter dated December 3, 2012.
“The Regional Officer (Guwahati) of CBSE was specifically informed that Manipuri Textbooks for class IX in Meetei Mayek shall be introduced with effect from school session 2013 and those of class X from the next year”, it clarified.
“The Board of Secondary Education, Manipur vide its letter dated May 6, 2011 had also informed the Boards of Secondary Educations of `the North Eastern states of Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Nagaland and Mizoram regarding the conversion from Bengali to Meetei Mayek indicating the year-wise detailed conversion plan”, it continued.
Further in its clarification, it said, “Meetei Mayek script text books for class IX is being introduced with effect from the academic session 2013-14 i.e. from the session beginning in April 2013 for CBSE affiliated schools in Manipur”.
“As such, it is not understood how the volunteers of DES AM could have expected class IX students of the current year (2012-13) to be studying text books in Meetei Mayek”, it said.
“The Secretary on behalf of the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur would also earnestly appeal to all concerned, including students unions, civil society organizations and/or any other interested groups to kindly cross-check facts prior to issuing such press notes etc. which may have an adverse effect on the credibility and prestige of the Board”, it concluded.