Chhattisgarh will offer primary education in 18 local dialects for tribal regions

The Chhattisgarh government plans to integrate local languages and dialects into primary education in the state's tribal areas, in line with the National Education Policy (NEP). An official announcement on Sunday revealed that Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai has directed the education department to create and distribute bilingual books in 18 local languages and dialects.

This initiative aims to improve educational access and quality for tribal communities by allowing children to learn in their mother tongue, preserving cultural connections. It aligns with NEP 2020's vision to make education more inclusive and accessible in native languages.

During the ‘Shala Pravesh Utsav’ (school admission fest) on July 5, CM Sai announced that textbooks and teaching materials would be translated into local dialects, with teachers receiving training in these languages. School Education Secretary Siddharth Komal Pardeshi mentioned that books are being prepared in 18 local languages and dialects, including Chhattisgarhi, Sargujiha, Halbi, Sadari, Gondi, and Kudukh, in the first phase.

The project will involve contributions from writers, folk artists, and compilers statewide, with support from senior citizens and teachers. Dinesh Sharma, Principal of High School Bagia, praised the initiative, noting its potential to help more tribal children advance in their education.

According to NEP 2020's three-language formula, every student in India should learn three languages: two native Indian languages (one regional) and English. This initiative follows a similar announcement by former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel in January 2020.