Newmai News Network
Imphal | August 10
Manipur Education Minister, L Nandakumar Singh today said that the Union HRD Minister, Arjun Singh promised a ministerial delegation led by him that the Union Human Resource Ministry would not intervene in the school affiliation-demand by Naga organizations in Manipur.
The Ministerial delegation called on Arjun Singh in Delhi on August 7. The delegation also met Union Minister Oscar Fernandez, who is heading the Indian team that has been negotiating with NSCN (IM), the next day. The team also comprised Manipur’s Public Works Minister, Govindas Konthoujam, Lok Sabha MP Dr. Thokchom Meinya Singh and senior officials of the Board of Secondary Education Manipur. The delegation returned to Imphal yesterday.
Briefing media persons this afternoon on the delegations’ meeting with the Union Ministers the Education Minister said that both Arjun Singh and Fernandez gave the assurance that they would not interfere in the issue.
“The HRD Minister gave a patient hearing. He told us that education is a state subject and it is the state’s problem, which is to be solved by the state,” Arjun Singh promised the delegation.
The delegation also told Fernadez that Manipur government would strongly oppose any move to allow affiliation of Manipur’s schools to Nagaland board and also to teach Nagaland textbooks. The delegation clarified to the Central Ministers that the Manipur government does not impose Meitei script as claimed by Naga NGOs.
“We told the ministers that ten tribal dialects are being taught in schools. Besides, students are allowed to opt for Roman script if they do not want to opt for Meitei script. Fernandez demanded some data and I promised him to provide them, “Nandkumar said.
Nandakumar claimed that Naga NGOs have been “terrorizing” guardians to force them accept Nagaland textbooks. Guardians and school authorities are objecting to the proposal. Those who opposed the idea are being threatened, the Education Minister said.
The Minister appealed to Naga NGOs to withdraw the campaign saying that it would only damage the careers of thousands of students as Manipur government would not recognize the certificate of Manipur schools affiliated to Nagaland board. He however said that there is no report that schools in the four Naga dominated schools are teaching Nagaland textbooks. He said the government is ready to extend help to students in private schools of the four districts if they want to transfer to government schools.
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