Imphal, December 29: With introduction of Meetei Mayek to students till class III successfully, the text books for class IV to be taught from the next academic session 2008-09 have already been printed and made ready, MEELAL president Ngaseppam Yumjao has informed.

As for teaching Meetei Mayek to the general public, Yumjao added, necessary preparations have been made for launching a mass campaign with effect from January 2 next year.

Talking to mediapersons at the office of MEELAL located at Kanglapat today, Yumjao said MEELAL has been able to accomplish many tasks including introduction of Meetei Mayek till class III and use of Meetei Mayek on the nameplates of vehicles with the support of the people this year.

Along with the success of introducing Meetei Mayek to the students till class III since the beginning of the current academic session, the printing of the text books for class IV which are to be prescribed from the next academic session has also been completed, Yumjao said.

Steps have also been taken up for launching mass campaign to impart knowledge of Meetei Mayek to the general public.

All these have been accomplished with the support of the people and the permission of the Government, Yumjao said, while expressing gratitude to Chief Minister, Education Minister and other authorities concerned on behalf of MEELAL.

General secretary of MEELAL Moirangthem Naokhamba, who was also present at the occasion, said that even if Meetei Mayek has been introduced till class III and the Government has made necessary measures to upgrade use of Meetei Mayek from the next academic session, MEELAL has already started a coaching class at Kebol Girls' High School since December 16 to ensure no student were left out from learning the script.

From next year, arrangements would be made for teaching Meetei Mayek to the students in the morning and to the general public in the afternoon, he said.

He further informed that starting from January 2, 2008, MEELAL would also arrange classes for teaching Meetei Mayek at Lilashing Khongnangkhong High School, Thangmeiband for every family members of the area.

Expressing happiness over the assurance given by All Manipur Working Journalist Union to provide space for Meetei Mayek in newspapers from just one column to two from next year, MEELAL vice president Sadokpam Tomba noted that now students learning Meetei Mayek still class III do not know how to read and write in Bengali script.

Increasing the number of Meetei Mayek columns in the newspapers for the sake of these students is a good sign, Tomba said.

Within the next 10 years, Meetei Mayek would be able to replace Bengali script completely, he expressed confidence, adding that MEELAL would start providing facility for learning computer in Meetei Mayek from the next academic session onward as well.

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