Ranchi: The Jharkhand government is working on a State Language Education Policy aimed at combining mother-tongue instruction with Hindi and English learning, while integrating skill-based and digital education into the school system.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren reviewed the draft of the proposed Jharkhand State Language Education Policy on Wednesday and directed officials to develop a practical and future-ready framework that reflects the state’s linguistic, cultural and social diversity.
Trilingual Approach to Strengthen Learning
The proposed policy follows a trilingual approach in which the mother tongue, Hindi and English will function as complementary languages rather than competing mediums of instruction. Emphasising the importance of multilingual education, Soren said students should be able to learn second and third languages without losing proficiency in their first language.
Officials said the draft covers three stages of schooling, from early childhood education to Class XII. It aims to promote local languages while preparing students for higher education, competitive examinations and future employment opportunities.
Local Languages to Be Integrated into Classroom Teaching
The policy has been drafted after studying education models in Jharkhand and other states. It places special emphasis on incorporating mother tongues and local languages into school education, particularly during the foundational years.
Officials said children often communicate in tribal and local languages at home, while classroom teaching is largely conducted in Hindi or English. This difference can create learning barriers in the early years of schooling. Soren said Jharkhand’s rich linguistic diversity should be treated as a strength and linked with the education system to improve children’s understanding, classroom participation and learning outcomes.
Spoken English Before Class XII, Digital Literacy Emphasised
The Chief Minister also called for greater focus on employability-oriented education. He directed officials to ensure that students receive spoken English training before completing Class XII. Digital literacy, he said, should be an essential component of the proposed policy to prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven world.
Soren also suggested exploring the inclusion of hockey in skill-based education programmes, citing Jharkhand’s strong record of producing national-level players. The proposed policy is expected to provide a framework for strengthening multilingual education, improving learning outcomes and connecting school education with practical skills and future career opportunities.
