IMPHAL, March 10: The All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM) has demanded the re-inclusion of Additional English as an optional subject in the first Language in the syllabus of Class-IX and X under the Board of Secondary Education Manipur BoSEM.
A statement issued by general secretary Marahang Ngiimai, alleged that, the newly prescribed syllabus by board had removed Additional English from the optional subjects.
Removing such general subject has caused serious inconveniences to those tribes who were not given their 1st languages, the apex tribal students’ body asserted before defending that, Additional English offers a very effective means for national and racial integration.
The removal of Additional English from the first language option had created a barrier for the students as many are not familiar with the languages of the minorities, it contended.
The languages of Simte, Gante, Chin, Moonsang, Lamkang, Anal, Chothe, Aimol, Maring etc are not recognized by the Board in the First Language list. English is a universal language and it is a must for the students, it added.
Meanwhile, the ATSUM has also called an emergency meeting of all the Hill Districts Private Schools association for consultation on the above matter on Monday.