Bihar to introduce regional languages for classes 1 and 2
The state government aims to promote mother tongue-based education in all state-run schools from the next academic session.
The Bihar government will introduce one regional language for students in classes 1 and 2 in all state-run schools starting from the next academic session, according to the Hindustan Times.
Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwary said on Tuesday that the decision follows the provisions of the National Education Policy (NEP) to promote education based on mother tongue at the primary level.
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has been authorised to prepare textbooks in Bhojpuri, Magahi, Surjapuri, Bajjika, Maithili, and Angika.
Tiwary stated that the NEP emphasises regional languages to improve conceptual understanding and preserve linguistic diversity, recommending the use of home or local languages up to at least class 5.
SCERT Director Yatendra Kumar Pal told PTI that textbooks for classes 1 and 2 are being developed in consultation with teachers and language experts.
The regional language arrangement will later be introduced for classes 3 to 5, with textbooks for those grades also being developed.