Jharkhand Pushes for Tribal and Regional Languages in Primary Education
Jharkhand is taking significant steps toward making primary education more inclusive and effective by integrating tribal and regional languages into the classroom. The state government has underscored the importance of mother-tongue-based learning, with officials emphasizing that language plays a crucial role in shaping a child’s educational foundation.
State Minister Sudivya Kumar inaugurated a two-day conference on Wednesday aimed at addressing the challenges of implementing multilingual education in schools, in line with the provisions of the National Education Policy. The gathering brought together educators and policymakers to deliberate on practical strategies for language integration at the grassroots level.
A Land of Linguistic Riches
Speaking at the National Multilingual Education Conference, Kumar highlighted the unique linguistic landscape of Jharkhand, describing the state as a vibrant jewel of a pluralistic nation. He referenced a traditional saying that captures the region’s diversity: water changes every mile, and language changes every ten miles.
The minister pointed out that Jharkhand is home to five major tribal languages and four regional languages, making it impossible to connect all 24 districts through a single language. “When we talk about weaving these linguistic variations together, at least nine distinct forms must represent Jharkhand,” he stated.
The PALASH Initiative: Progress and Gaps
The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) has taken a pioneering step through the PALASH (Promotion of Appropriate Language and Academic Skills Enhancement) multilingual education project. This initiative has incorporated five tribal languages into primary education:
- Kurukh
- Santali
- Mundari
- Ho
- Kharia
However, Kumar noted that these languages are currently taught in only eight districts, leaving room for expansion across the state.
Call for Regional Language Inclusion
The minister also made a strong case for bringing four regional languages into the PALASH framework. Khortha, Nagpuri, Panchpargania, and Kurmali should be added to ensure their preservation and continued teaching at the primary level, he argued.
Shashi Ranjan, State Project Director of JEPC, explained that the core objective of the PALASH initiative is to provide early education to children in their mother tongue. He expressed his intention to request Chief Minister Hemant Soren to include these four regional languages in the education system. “Without this, the dream of a developed Jharkhand remains incomplete,” Ranjan said, emphasizing the need for continued efforts in this direction.
Beyond Rote Learning
Ranjan warned against superficial approaches to education that merely produce students who can copy from a blackboard without developing genuine understanding. “If we fail to make foundational education holistic, simple, and practical, we will only create individuals who replicate what they see, rather than citizens with their own knowledge and intellect,” he remarked.
Proven Benefits of Mother-Tongue Instruction
Research consistently supports the advantages of teaching children in their native language. Ranjan noted that studies and surveys have demonstrated improved learning outcomes and enhanced confidence among students who receive instruction in their mother tongue.
The conference has attracted participants from several states, including Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, and Rajasthan, indicating a broader national interest in multilingual education approaches.
Expanding Reach
The PALASH multilingual education project was initially launched in five districts and was expanded to eight districts during the 2024-25 period. Currently, 1,041 schools across these eight districts are providing multilingual education through textbooks and other teaching and learning materials, marking steady progress in the state’s commitment to linguistically inclusive education.
As Jharkhand continues to build on this momentum, the integration of both tribal and regional languages remains a priority for creating an education system that respects and reflects the state’s rich cultural diversity while equipping students with the skills they need for the future.
