In an effort to preserve and promote tribal and regional languages, the Jharkhand government has decided to make their teaching mandatory in all government schools.
This move aims to strengthen linguistic diversity and ensure that students from tribal communities have the opportunity to learn in their native languages. To facilitate the smooth implementation of this policy, the state has studied the education model of West Bengal, where regional languages are integrated into the curriculum from the primary to postgraduate level.
Based on this model, the Jharkhand government is working towards developing a similar system that will enhance language education across the state.
Minister of School Education and Literacy, Ramdas Soren, has emphasized the importance of appointing teachers in proportion to the number of students speaking regional languages.
He assured that the government is committed to making tribal and regional languages a compulsory part of the school curriculum. He further stated that necessary teacher appointments will be made to meet the demand and ensure effective instruction.
To gain deeper insights into the language education framework of West Bengal, the Jharkhand government sent a five-member team on a week-long study tour.
The team carefully examined how regional languages are incorporated into the education system and subsequently submitted a detailed report to the education department. The findings of this study will be reviewed by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who is expected to make key policy decisions based on the recommendations.
The government had previously conducted a state-wide survey to identify students who speak regional languages. However, discrepancies were found in the data collection process, as many students' linguistic backgrounds were not accurately recorded.
Minister Ramdas Soren acknowledged these shortcomings and announced that a fresh district-level survey would be undertaken to ensure precise data collection. Once the updated information is available, the recruitment of teachers specializing in tribal and regional languages will commence.
The focus now shifts to Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s response to the study report and the subsequent policy measures that will be implemented.
The state government has already recognised the need for hiring teachers dedicated to regional language education, and with the adoption of the West Bengal model, Jharkhand could take a significant step toward preserving its rich linguistic and cultural heritage.
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