The Assam government has decided to add four tribal languages in schools to promote learning in the mother tongue. From classes 1st to 5th standard, tribal languages- Mising, Rabha, Tiwa and Deori will be used as the medium of instruction. With a multi-language pedagogy, the aim is to improve proficiency in Assamese and English languages.
According to the Education Minister of Assam, Ranjo Pegu, “We have decided to introduce Mising, Rabha, Tiwa and Deori languages as a medium of instruction from classes one to five. It was a demand from these communities to introduce these languages as a medium of instruction at lower primary school level.”
The module will be a multilingual one. “While teaching Rabha language, textbooks will be prepared in such a way that students can simultaneously learn Assamese or English,” he further added.
The government is trying to add the languages from this year itself, however, it depends upon the technical factors like the preparation of textbooks and capabilities of teachers.
“Schools and teachers proficient in the aforementioned languages will be identified for the preparation of textbooks. Otherwise, these languages will be introduced in 2023,” Pegu informed.
On February 7th Pegu made an announcement that they will introduce Garo and seven other tribal languages that will be part of the curriculum in Assam schools up to the higher secondary level.
In his tweet, he mentioned, “There will be an option to learn any tribal language in classes VI to VIII as an optional subject and from Class IX to XII as an elective subject.”
The Prime Minister himself emphasised promoting teaching children in their mother tongue on the recent occasion of the 75th Independence day address.
