Khasi may lose ‘compulsory subject’ status at 10+2 level
SHILLONG: A move by Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBoSE) to derecognize Khasi (Modern Indian Language) as a ‘compulsory subject’ at the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HSSLC) level has come under sharp criticism from the educators.
A delegation of educationists along with different organizations on Monday met MBoSE Executive Chairman E.P. Kharbhih to discuss the MBoSE decision.
The delegation comprised representatives from different educational institutions including NEHU, Khasi Author’s Society, Sahitya Academy, Joint Action Committee of all Teachers’ Association, Meghalaya Peoples’ Human Right Commission, Khasi Jaintia Welfare Association and Hynniewtrep Youth Council.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, MPHRC convener Dino D.G. Dympep said that the move by the MBoSE will be a setback for all those people who have been toiling hard to push for inclusion of Khasi language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Dr. Sylvanus Lamare, Principal, St. Edmund’s College, decried the notification issued by the Board without consultation with the stakeholders.
Dr. D.R.L. Nonglait, Dept. of Khasi, NEHU, said that the notification was issued without the knowledge of the concerned stakeholders and feared that move by the Board would be detrimental to the local authors since Khasi was recognized even at the PhD level.
The MBoSE, on its part, has decided to take up the matter with the Board’s Academic Council which is scheduled to meet on Tuesday.