The Chhattisgarh government is planning to integrate local languages and dialects into primary education in the state’s tribal areas, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP). According to an official statement Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the education department to create and distribute bilingual books in 18 local languages and dialects.
This initiative aims to improve educational access and quality for tribal communities, enabling children to learn in their native tongues and preserve their cultural heritage. It aligns with NEP 2020’s broader goal of making education more inclusive and accessible through native languages.
At the ‘Shala Pravesh Utsav’ (school admission fest) on July 5, 2024, Chief Minister Sai revealed that textbooks and teaching materials will be translated into local dialects, and teachers will be trained in these languages. School Education Secretary Siddharth Komal Pardeshi mentioned that books are being prepared in 18 local languages and dialects, including Chhattisgarhi, Sargujiha, Halbi, Sadari, Gondi, and Kudukh, as part of the first phase.
The project will feature contributions from writers, folk artists, and compilers from across the state, with additional support from senior citizens and teachers. Dinesh Sharma, Principal of High School Bagia, commended the initiative, highlighting its potential to aid more tribal children in progressing their education.
According to the NEP 2020’s three-language formula, every student in India is expected to learn three languages: two native Indian languages (one of which is regional) and English. This initiative builds on a similar initiative made by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in January 2020.
(Picture Credit – The Logical Indian)
