Rajasthan: Local languages included in classroom teaching


Good to see that the Rajasthan government is taking concrete steps to bring the local languages into the classroom. It is particularly encouraging to note that this initiative is not only focusing on the language, but also including the culture and folklore. Still, the initiative is not fully in line with the National Education Policy and the common pedagogical consensus that the local language should be the language of instruction as the medium of instruction will remain Hindi. Nevertheless it is clearly a step in the right direction!


According to news reports, the Rajasthan State Council of Educational Research and Training (RSCERT) has identified 18 dialects that will be integrated into classroom teaching for classes I to V in state schools in the 2024-25 academic year. The main aim is to reduce the gap between the home and school environments for students.(Education Times / Times of India)


Before this initiative a language mapping survey by RSCERT showed that 20% of teachers were not well versed in the local languages. There was also a pilot project in the districts of Sirohi and Dungerpur, which received positive reinforcements in school attendance and learning outcomes with the use of mother tongue in the classroom.  


To begin this initiative, the RSCERT has developed dictionaries and primers for nine districts in languages such as Marwari, Garasia, Mewari, Wagdi, Godwadi, and Dhundari. Teachers are being trained to use these dictionaries in order to begin incorporating local words and phrases while teaching to make students connect with the school material.


The Education Times quotes the director of RSCERT, Kavita Pathak:“The dictionaries are a list of words or expressions that are commonly spoken in the area and are popular among students. Once the teachers speak these words, the students will not feel alienated.” 

 

Through this initiative of providing primary and foundational education in a familiar language, the RSCERT seeks to help young children to connect to their linguistic heritage. Therefore they have brought forth primers and instructional packages which include poems, puzzles, idioms, educational posters, folklores, stories of local heroes and workbooks all in the mother tongue.

 

Rajasthan is one of the leading states in efforts which are promoting Multilingual Education in India. The initiatives in Rajasthan have been driven by non profit organisations for the most part. It is a positive development to witness the state government’s efforts to promote multilingual education in Rajasthan. The impact of this initiative will be anticipated by educational practitioners and proponents of multilingual education in Rajasthan and India. 


Regards,

Karsten in collaboration with Upasana Lepcha




Resources:

  1. Integration of local languages induces confidence in Rajasthan students - EducationTimes.com 

  2. Raj govt schools to use local tongues in primary classes from new session 

  3. Photo source: Generated by AI. (Copilot AI)