NBSE affiliation impossible : CM
There is no need to be confused over the matter, asserts Ibobi
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, Jul 24: Asserting the stand of the Government over the text books issue, Chief Minister O Ibobi today said that there should be no confusion over the demand that private schools in the hill districts should affiliate to Nagaland Board of School Education as the demand can never be fulfilled or even entertained.

Addressing newsmen today at his office chamber, the Chief Minister said that the report that Union Human Resources Development Minister Arjun Singh had assured a delegate of Naga Students' Federation that affiliation of private schools in the hill districts to the NBSE will be allowed is wrong.

"Don't be confused over the matter.

I have personally spoken to the HRD Minister and he categorically stated that no such assurance was given to the NSF,' said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister said that the Centre cannot arbitrary take any decision on the issue adding that the State Government has to be consulted first.

Chief Minister O Ibobi giving a press conference at Imphal.

To make his point clear, Ibobi said, "If some Meiteis staying outside the State want their schools to be affiliated to the BSEM, it would not be allowed or even entertained.

Such practice is not done.' Appealing to the public not to be confused the Chief Minister said that students passing out from the National Open School are not recognised by the State Government.

Such students face numerous problems when they apply for Government jobs in the State, he stated.

Answering queries raised by the newsmen, the Chief Minister said that the Education Department is closely studying the situation in the schools of the hill districts and added that so far no school has been derecognised over the issue.

Stating that prior information has already been given on the likely outcome in the future, which will not be pleasant, the Chief Minister said that the Government is ready to extend all possible help to students who want to migrate to schools in the valley area or to some other places of the State.

There is no discrimination in the education policy followed by the State Government, asserted Ibobi and added that there is no imposition of Meitei Mayek on the tribal students as they are given the option of studying Manipuri in the Roman script.

If there is any suggestion to change the education policy, such suggestions will be welcome, he added.

Talking on the contentious Tipaimukh dam, the Chief Minister said that NEEPCO is presently conducting an intensive survey to generate 2063 megawatts of power in five years.

The survey works being taken up in the State to generate hydro electricity include the Khuilong hydor Project (67 MW), Pabnam Hydro Project (190 MW), Tipaimukh Hydro Project (1500 MW), Tuivai Hydro Project (51 MW), Nungleiband Hydro Project (105) MW), Loktak Down Stream (90 MW) and Irang Hydro Project (60 MW).

Urging the people not to only see the negative side of Tipaimukh, the Chief Minister said that this dam does not mean the submergence of all human habitats and urged the people to come forward to discuss its pros and cons.

If there are any changes that can be effected, there is still time to do so, he added.