SHILLONG: The MBoSE has refuted reports that it has decided to make Khasi language or Modern Indian Languages (MIL) as an optional subject at the Higher Secondary level.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, MBoSE Executive Chairman EP Kharbhih said, “It is misleading to say that the Board intends to make MIL optional.”
While admitting that English remains the only compulsory subject under the new system, he said that students will be given a choice to choose MIL as a ‘compulsory elective subject’.
“All the head of institutions have been well informed about the Board’s proposal to change the existing structure and scheme of studies for the higher secondary level. We have clearly spelled out that out of the five subjects, English would remain as compulsory and MIL/Alternative English may be taken as one of the elective subjects,” the MBoSE Executive Chairman said.
He said that the fresh notification of the Board mentions that MIL has been removed from the course but the students are given a choice to choose MIL as ‘compulsory elective subject’ and not as an optional subject as was the case earlier.
“In the past, English and MIL (Khasi language) were both compulsory. But even in the older system there was no bar for students to opt for alternative English instead of Khasi,” Kharbhih said.
He said that under the new policy students appearing in Arts, Science and Commerce streams shall appear in five subjects for a total of 500 marks. This shall include the compulsory paper of English carrying 100 marks and any four elective subjects, each carrying 100 marks.
“However, a candidate may also be offered one additional elective subject as the sixth subject. This change was introduced in order to accommodate the move to allow students to have more choice to choose their subjects of interest,” Kharbhih said.
Interestingly, under the new system, students have the liberty to opt for MIL as the sixth subject or not take it at all.
“We have to understand that students who do not have interest in Khasi language will never opt for it,” the MBoSE executive chairman maintained.