Guwahati: The Ministry of Education Assam has prepared a plan to introduce four tribal languages, Rabha, Misting, Tiwa and Deuri, as a medium of teaching in the coming academic session, said Education Minister Ranoj Pegu.
He said the search had begun for teachers who met these languages.
This initiative is part of the new education policy (NEP) where emphasis has been placed to teach in mother’s language.
“Based on multi-language pedagogy, students will also get used to Assamese and English languages,” said Pegu.
Previously, he told that there would be an option to learn any tribal language in grade 6 to 8 as an optional subject and from grade 9 to 12 as an elective subject.
In Assam, Bodo, Hmar and Garo have been taught at school.
But the introduction of four languages as a teaching media is a long-time request.
“The Assam government, after discussing this issue with various tribal organizations and SAHITYA Sabhas, has decided to introduce four languages as media instructions from grade 1 to 5,” said Pegu.
Even when the Assam people have a high affinity of their Franca Lingua, the preservation and promotion of various tribal languages becomes blocked because it was abandoned from the school curriculum.
Although there are concerns among academics regarding the future of Assamese and English in tribal pockets, if you provide education starting in this tribal language, it says new textbooks will have features, which will simultaneously help in understanding Assamese or English.
“Our goal is to make students ready so they can continue their education in other languages immediately after completing class 5,” he added.
The source in the Ministry of Education said in principle, the agreement was achieved between Sahita Sabhas and the tribal group.
However, the source said the preparation of textbooks and identification of teachers for the task was not finished.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Education has not completed the requirements of student teachers who will pursue their basic education in tribal language.
“The situation is such that many students from four groups of study tribes in Assamese.
A large number of students from the Rabha family in Kamrup and the aim of do not even understand Rabha.
This will be a big challenge to teach them in their mother tongue,” said the source.
Also, teachers, know tribal language, are currently appointed in various parts of the country and it will be a major overhaul in the education department if they are transferred to areas where their community lives.
Study in tribal language at Assam school soon
