Development of Elementary Education in Barak Valley: Special Reference to Manipuri Medium Schools

Abstract

Education is considered the most influential agent of modernisation besides industrialization and urbanization in India. The British laid the
foundation of modern education in India. Although, they did not initially to develop an educational system, in early 18th century the British
administrators began to pay attention to promoting education. British Education became popular over time because English is the language of
administration, international and national commerce, as well as English is the language and education have an economic value, since without
yours knowledge, jobs in the highest echelons of occupational hierarchy are not unavailable. Therefore, the demand for such education has been
increasing and the traditional one became obsolete and useless and was confined to some institutions of oriental studies only.
Naoria Phulo was the pioneer of the Manipuri educational movement outside the Manipur. Naoria Phulo’s dream was started by ‘Nikhil Hindu
Manipuri Mahasabha(NHMM), Manipur in 1935 and later with the establishment of its branch i.e. ‘Nikhil Hindu Manipuri
Mahasabha(NHMM)’, Cachar Branchin same year. NHMM, Cachar branch became pioneer organization in introducing Manipuri as a medium
of instruction in Barak Valley as well as in Assam. And meanwhile, the constitution of India and Indian Educational Committee and
Commission should provide various facilities to introduce the medium of instruction in the school education in India. As a result of them,
Manipuri medium education has a significant place in the education of Barak Valley. We try to analyse this paper to focus about the historical
development of Manipuri medium elementary education in Barak Valley