The Manipuri Students’ Federation (MSF) has reiterated its demand for the introduction of a dedicated drug education and drug abuse prevention curriculum for students from Class V to Class XII under the Board of Secondary Education, Manipur (BOSEM) and the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Manipur (COHSEM).
In a statement issued on Monday, the federation said the increasing abuse of narcotic substances has emerged as a serious threat to the physical and mental well-being of young people, underscoring the need for systematic preventive education in schools.
The MSF said it has been conducting its “Let’s Give Up Dangerous Drugs” campaign since 2020, organising seminars, awareness programmes, conventions, public discussions, competitions, sticker campaigns and rallies in schools, colleges, universities and localities to educate people about the harmful effects of drug abuse.
The federation proposed the introduction of a separate syllabus and textbooks on drug education and prevention, stating that such a curriculum should form an integral part of the school education system.
As part of the initiative, the MSF Bishnupur District Committee submitted a memorandum to the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Bishnupur, requesting that the proposal be forwarded to the Directorate of Education (Schools) for consideration.
The federation maintained that introducing drug education at the school level would help create awareness among students from an early age, discourage substance abuse and contribute to building a healthier society. It appealed to the education authorities and the public to support the proposal in the interest of students and the future of the state.