Congress MP urges Centre to include Khasi and Garo language in the CBSE list of second language options

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 4, 2021

Congress Shillong MP Vincent H Pala has sought the intervention of the Union Minister of Education Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank for inclusion of the Khasi and Garo language in the list of second language options in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). 

“I…fervently request you to consider the inclusion of Khasi and Garo language in the list of approved languages at the earliest so that the children of my state can receive the best of education,” Pala said in a letter to Dr Nishank on Friday.

Pala said the Khasi and Garo languages are the mode of communication (both verbal and written) for not only the indigenous residents of the state but also for large sections of the inhabitants of other states in the Northeast who have Khasi and Garo ancestry. 

According to him, a sizeable population of Bangladesh also speaks the Khasi and Garo language. 

The population of Meghalaya is (approximately) 35 lakhs and 47% of the population speak Khasi, 30.86 % speak Garo while rest speak other languages. 

The MP however said as per the newly published list of languages in the CBSE curriculum, Khas and Garo languages are not included, whereas languages like Mizo and Tangkhul, spoken and used in a very small population are included in the list. 

Viz Mizo language is spoken by approximately 12 lakh people and hte number of people speaking Tangkhul is 1.83 lakhs. 

He said it is pertinent to note that CBSE affiliated schools are not popular in the state of Meghalaya although parents are aware that CBSE is the best board for appearing in the various competitive examinations.