The Chhattisgarh government plans to introduce native languages and dialects into elementary education in the state's tribal territories, in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP). An official statement issued on Sunday indicated that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai directed the education department to create and distribute bilingual books in 18 indigenous languages and dialects.
The initiative seeks to improve access for educational institution and quality for tribal communities, allowing students to learn in their mother tongue while maintaining cultural linkages. This initiative is part of NEP 2020's larger objective of making education more inclusive and accessible in local languages.
During the 'Shala Pravesh Utsav' (school admission festival) on July 5, CM Sai promised that textbooks and teaching materials would be translated into local dialects, and teachers would be trained in these languages. According to School Education Secretary Siddharth Komal Pardeshi, the initial phase of the project includes the preparation of books in 18 local languages and dialects, including Chhattisgarhi, Sargujiha, Halbi, Sadari, Gondi, and Kudukh.
The initiative will include contributions from litterateurs, folk artists, and compilers around the state, as well as assistance from senior residents and instructors. Dinesh Sharma, Principal of High School Bagia, praised the project, pointing out its potential to help more tribal pupils improve in their education.
According to the three-language formula of NEP 2020, every student in India should acquire three languages: two native Indian languages (one regional) and English. This project follows a similar declaration made by previous Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in January 2020.
