STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Assam Higher Secondary Education Council (AHSEC) had decided to introduce the Tai language as an optional subject at the higher secondary level from the 2023-2024 academic session.
According to AHSEC deputy secretary (Academic Branch) Anurupa Choudhury, this step has been taken in keeping with the Act East Policy of the Narendra Modi government. She said that it has become necessary for students of Assam to learn the Tai language because the state is the gateway to South East Asia and this language is used in those countries. She said that in view of increasing people-to-people contact, proficiency in the Tai language will enable youths of Assam to secure jobs in South East Asian countries and also facilitate entrepreneurial activities.
Choudhury said that the AHSEC recently held a meeting with the officials of the Dibrugarh University, Tai Sahitya Sabha and Central Tai Academy, Patsaku regarding introduction of the Tai language at the higher secondary level. After detailed discussions, it was decided that the textbooks for the subject will be prepared by the Centre for Studies in Languages of Dibrugarh University.
Choudhury further informed that the AHSEC considered introducing the Tai language as an MIL (Modern Indian Language), but this was not feasible due to certain factors. However, the Tai language will be a part of the curriculum like Sanskrit, Arabic etc.
On the other hand, Choudhury said that the AHSEC was earlier dependant on the Meghalaya Board of School Education for textbooks for the Garo MIL subject. However, the AHSEC started preparing its own textbooks for the Garo subject from the 2021-2022 academic session. Moreover, the process is underway for preparation of textbooks for the Karbi MIL subject for the class-12 batch of students, she said, adding that the Karbi Autonomous Council will provide the textbooks free of cost this year as well.
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