Assurance of getting Khasi in 8th schedule

SHILLONG, NOV 24: Meghalaya deputy chief minister Roytre C Laloo assured the assembly of getting Khasi language included in the eight schedule of the constitution eve as he informed that the enrollment and registration of students taking Khasi language has increase after the Modern Indian Language (MIL) has been made into an elective subject.

Laloo told the winter session of the Meghalaya assembly on Monday, “In fact, after MIL has been made into an elective subject, there is more registration and enrollment in the Khasi language than before when MIL was a compulsory subject.”

Laloo assurance and revelation came after HSPDP legislator Ardent Basaiawmoit raise the decision of the Meghalaya Board of School Education (MBOSE) to withdraw Khasi as a compulsory subject during question hour and a call attention by the opposition.

Laloo said that after MBOSE notification last year, there is an increase of at least 1000 students who are going to appear for their HSSLC exams next year who have opting for Khasi as one of their subjects.

Laloo sought to enlighten the house by saying that it is not a fact that the Khasi language has been removed from the course of study. He said, “Even when MIL was a compulsory subject, students had options of choosing eight languages apart from Khasi as MIL. The language included are Alternative English, Assamese, Bengali, Hindi, Nepali, Mizo, Urdu and Garo language, he informed the house.

Laloo asserted that the allegations of discrimination towards Khasi language do not hold water and said it is a myth to allege that the government is discriminating the language. He claimed, “In fact the steps taken are progressive in nature by giving more flexibility to the students.”

Laloo informed that during  the board’s  123^rd meeting held on August 19, 2010 the approval to the proposal to change the existing structure and schemes of studies for the HSSLC examination was given.  He said, “This proposal of the MBOSE was incorporated in the Examinations Regulation of the HSSLC Examinations, 2011 which was formally approved by the state government.”

On allegation of failure to consult the stakeholders, Laloo defended by saying that he tends to disagree that the board has not consulted the stakeholders and gone with the modification in a clandestine manner. He said, “All head of institutions were well informed about the changes to be made effective from 2013.”

Laloo also assured the house of getting the Khasi language, spoken by at least 1.5 million people in the state, included in the eighth schedule of the constitution and thereby accorded as one of the official languages in the country.

Laloo said, “I will do what I can to get Khasi (language) included in the Eighth Schedule (of the country’s Constitution). I have spoken with the chief minister in this regards.” – By Our Reporter