Students in state government-run primary schools are set to learn tribal and regional languages in Jharkhand.

Jharkhand’s chief minister Champai Soren convened a high-level session with officials from the school education and literacy development department, alongside cabinet minister for ST/SC and backward class Deepak Biruwa, in Ranchi on Saturday afternoon to discuss the introduction of teaching in tribal and regional languages in primary-level government schools.

The chief minister urged education department officials to swiftly incorporate tribal and regional languages into the primary school curriculum (for Classes I to V).

This marks the first instance since Jharkhand’s formation in 2000, following its separation from Bihar, that primary schools across the state will offer classes in tribal languages.

“This is essential for the promotion and preservation of tribal and regional languages in the state, which is a priority for the present government,” said Champai in a release issued by the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Additionally, the chief minister instructed education department officials to recruit teachers on an ad-hoc basis to expedite the teaching of tribal and regional languages.

At present, only Odia and Bengali are taught among the regional languages in select schools, especially in the Kolhan region.

“However, following the chief minister’s directive, more regional languages such as Santhali, Kudukh, Khadiya, Khortha, Nagpuri and Mundari will be introduced in schools,” said an official from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat.

Notably, addressing a function to distribute appointment letters to candidates in Ranchi on Friday, the chief minister emphasised the need to fortify the education system to foster the state’s development.

“We will soon commence the recruitment of teachers for tribal and regional languages from the primary school level,” said Soren.

Furthermore, he highlighted the transformation of 325 schools into model institutions to provide education equivalent to that of English medium schools for tribal and underprivileged students.