By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 16: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Saturday said the adoption of NCERT textbooks by Meghalaya is a good beginning but the vibrant culture, rich history and languages of the state should not be left out.
It also categorically stated that the state government should solve the problems being faced by the booksellers through dialogues.
“We feel that the adoption of NCERT (textbooks) is a good start to move ahead but at the same time, the vibrant culture and rich history of the people should not be left out. Also, the languages should always be there,” KSU general secretary Donald V Thabah said.
Recalling a statement of the Union made a few years ago that if Meghalaya Board of School Education cannot provide a good curriculum to the students, then it is better to adopt the NCERT curriculum, Thabah said, “But, at the same time, it should make certain modifications so that the rich and vibrant culture, customs and history of the state are not left out.”
He said it was observed umpteen times that the NCERT textbooks, mostly on social science and history, make a lot of mistakes. Citing an instance, he said it was written in a textbook that Hindi is the official language of Meghalaya. He said there was no mention of Khasi and Garo languages.
“There are certain books which also make a lot of mistakes about our freedom fighters. So, these publishers and writers do not conduct a thorough study on the history of the state and its people and are just publishing books. We understand that this is monopolisation of education through books,” Thabah said. Stating that the syllabus of some states like Karnataka is tougher than that of the Central Board of Secondary Education, he said, “We are not saying we should make a tougher syllabus, but it should be up to date and be able to cater to the students’ community so that they can prepare for competitive exams after their board exam. They should be able to compete and come through it.”
Thabah said the members of an association of booksellers met the education secretary of the KSU and the Union is looking into the matter.
“The government should hold proactive dialogues with them to sort out all the problems,” he insisted.
Earlier, Education Minister Rakkam A Sangma had said that academicians and experts, not some retailers or businessmen, should decide on the books and curricula that are to be chosen for the students of the state.