Bihar to introduce regional languages for primary students next session
State-run schools will offer subjects in languages like Maithili and Bhojpuri for students in classes 1 and 2.
The Bihar government will introduce one regional language for students in classes 1 and 2 across all state-run schools starting from the next academic session, according to the Hindustan Times.
Bihar Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwary said on Tuesday that the move aims to promote mother-tongue-based education at the primary level under the National Education Policy (NEP).
The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has been tasked with creating textbooks in six languages: Bhojpuri, Magahi, Surjapuri, Bajjika, Maithili, and Angika.
Minister Tiwary noted that the NEP suggests using a student's home or local language as the medium of instruction until at least class 5. He added that this regional language arrangement will eventually be extended to students in classes 3 to 5.
SCERT Director Yatendra Kumar Pal told PTI that textbooks for the younger classes are being developed with help from language experts and teachers.
Jainendra Kumar Dost, a lecturer at SCERT, said the council has held one workshop and will conduct two more to finalise the book contents in line with the National Curriculum Framework 2023.