Assam Cabinet Decision: Govt to Introduce ‘Santhali’ Language in Schools

GUWAHATI: The Assam Cabinet led by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma decided to introduce Santali as a medium of instruction in schools to promote linguistic diversity and empower Santhali community in tea garden areas.

Taking to Twitter Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “Roll out Category III of Assam Microfinance Incentive & Relief Scheme. Santhali as a medium of instruction in schools. Abolish Divisional Commissionerate & grant more powers to DC. Approved Rs 852 cr for GNB elevated corridor.”

On Friday, the cabinet has sanctioned Rs 852.68 crore for a 4-lane Elevated Corridor on GNB Road from Dighalipukhuri to Noonmati near FCI Godown with a 2-lane extended arm towards Rajgarh Road under State Owned Priority Development (SOPD) for 2023-24.

The cabinet has also resolved to remove the office of Divisional Commissioner and the statutory powers that it entails, which would be exercised by the Principal Secretary, GAD.

Following that, the Divisional Commissioner's staff and assets will be handed to the respective DCs.

In 2022, Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu declared that eight tribal languages--Bodo, Garo, Karbi, Dimasa, Mising, Deori, Tiwa, and Rabha--will be introduced as the Medium of Instruction (MoI) in government schools beginning with the pre-primary level beginning with the next academic session.

Pegu was responding to a Zero Hour notice from opposition leader Debabrata Saikia on the State Cabinet's decision to implement dual medium of instruction and the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English beginning in class III.

Ranoj Pegu also said that any tribal language shall be available as an optional subject in grades VI to VIII and as an elective subject in classes IX to XII.

He also stated that "The Assam government will introduce Rabha, Mising, Tiwa, and Deuri languages as mediums of instruction in LP Schools, along with a multi-language pedagogy to improve proficiency in Assamese and English."

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