Government to introduce local languages in all schools

Kohima, May 26 (EMN): With a view to preserve, protect and promote local languages and to give opportunity to every child to learn his/her mother tongue, the State government has decided to introduce local languages in all the schools.

Informing this during the presentation of Governor’s award and NBSE awards to the HSLC and HSSLC toppers at Raj Bhavan this morning, Principal Secretary School Education & SCERT, FP Solo said local languages will be introduced in both government and private schools and do away with Alternative English from Classes V to VIII in a phased manner from next year.

Expressing serious concern on the fact that all Naga languages are in the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) list of endangered languages, Solo pointed out that Naga languages may face extinction, if proper care is not taken to preserve them.

Unfortunately, he noted that within Nagaland 90% of Naga students opt for alternative English in lieu of local languages, where some children speak either English or Nagamese at home. If this trend continues, Solo maintained that ‘we will lose our uniqueness and identity which our forefather fought so hard to preserve them.’

Though Nagas always talk about the uniqueness of our history, culture, tradition, practices and identity, Solo asserted that a very important way to preserve our uniqueness is our ‘mother tongue’.

He also appreciated the Governor, PB Acharya for his interest and initiatives to introduce Naga languages in some universities outside the State.

While stating that the government has taken this initiative to preserve and promote the uniqueness of local languages, he appealed to all the stakeholders to extend their help and cooperation in implementing this important policy of the government.

He also recalled the strong survival instincts of our forefathers who were very hard working, self reliant, independent and would not expect help from others for their livelihood.

Solo noted with regret that during the course of our political struggle, Nagas have become more and more dependent on the Government of India. ‘We are not able to generate even 10% of the revenue required to run our government. All of us have become too dependent on the government for our livelihood,’ said Solo.

He emphasised that unless the people do something, we may not be able to survive long as a people. ‘For our own very survival as a people and as individuals, we need to revive self-respect, self-reliant, self-pride, honesty and the hard working culture of our forefathers,’ stated Solo.