Teaching in Maithili language possible till class VIII: Govt
By Our Special Correspondent
New Delhi, March 14: The government has said that it’s possible to teach in the Maithili language to students in class VIII. The government has stated that Maithili could be the instrument of the school instructions in regions where the language is spoken.
“Schools affiliated to CBSE located in Mithila region may offer education through Maithili wherever possible or teach Maithili language as a subject till class VIII. Since education is in the Concurrent list of the Constitution the respective State/Union Territory (UT) Governments and its agencies may develop suitable curriculum in regional languages, including Maithili, as per the local needs and demands,” the Ministry of Education told the Lok Sabha in a written answer during the Question Hour.
Maithili is among the 22 languages officially recognized by the Constitution of India. It’s also the language of a vast region of Bihar. But Bihar politics has seen for the past three decades of domination of Magadh region-based politicians, which is leading to several campaigns in the Mithila region for ways to protect and promote the Maithili culture.
“The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, inter-alia, provides that wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language. As of now, under the existing policy, children are learning three languages based on the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves,” the government stated in the answer.
Under the NEP 2020, the National Curriculum Framework and common model syllabus is being developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). NCERT develops a common framework which serves as a model for the diverse school system across the country. “States including Bihar with their language specific needs may adopt/ adapt, modify and redesign their curriculum and syllabus as per their language and regions,” added the government.
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools follow the curriculum prepared by NCERT up to class VIII and flexibility is provided in the medium of instruction in which this curriculum is transacted by the affiliated schools.
In the recent years, films are also being made in Maithili language, while activists are also seeking greater sensitization of the Maithili culture even while Bhojpuri dominates the Bihar identity on the national stage. Maithili is also the second largest spoken language of Nepal.
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