SHILLONG, Sep 10: Chief Secretary DP Wahlang has said that he will ensure Khasi is included as a compulsory subject in Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) in Meghalaya.
The chief secretary was said this in his address as the chief guest at a programme organised by the Khasi Authors’ Society (KAS).
Wahlang, in his address, suggested that every Khasi student or person, who has applied for Schedule Tribe certificate, should learn and study Khasi language.
“It is high time that CBSE courses must also include Khasi as compulsory subject and I will ensure that the same will be done for the EMRS institutions in the state,” the chief secretary said.
He also informed the gathering that around 40 EMRS will be set up across the state.
Maintaining that vernacular language is essential for every student to study, the chief secretary added, “I studied outside the state and during my CBSE examination, I had opted for Khasi language instead of Hindi, even as there are no teacher in the institution. I took upon myself to learn and study Khasi vernacular subject and had scored high marks, while the same is also being done for one of my children. I will also try to abolish the subject of Alternative English in the MBoSE to enable learning of vernacular language for every local indigenous student.”
As part of the programme, seminar was also held on the topic ‘Patriotism then and now’ and eight students, who have excelled in various academic examinations pertaining to the study of Khasi language, were feted with certificates and cash prizes.
The seminar sessions were conducted by senior members of KAS, Phrikshon Kharshiing and Prof Antoinette Kharmalki.
The resource persons, during the programme, delved into a wide perspective of patriotism ranging from pre-colonial to the colonial and post-colonial periods with analysis on the changing pattern of political administration in the state.
Other highlights of programme include presentation of a Khasi song by the students of Seng Khasi College and release of two books authored by Khraw Kupar Kharlukhi and Duster Roy Khongngai.
Others who were part of the programme include KAS president Dr DRL Nonglait, Compiler, Directorate of Arts and Culture department, Melissa Kharpuri, among other academicians.
