Odia & Other Regional Languages To Be Taught In CBSE Schools: Union Minister

Bhubaneswar: Odia along with other regional languages will now be taught in the schools functioning under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The CBSE has now allowed regional languages as a medium of instruction in their schools.

This was stated by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday. He said a circular in this regard has been issued by the CBSE on Friday. Twenty-two regional languages, including Odia, will be taught from standard I to XII in CBSE schools. Apart from English and Hindi, students will now be able to learn in regional languages.

The board has taken the decision to keep the education system in line with the new National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), said Dharmendra.

Stating that the schools under CBSE had only two mediums of teaching languages; English and Hindi, he said NEP 2023 emphasises the use of regional languages.

Referring to Odisha, the Union Minister said that the schools concerned will make provision for students who want to study in Odia meaium. The move is aimed at ensuring that the students are able to learn easily in their own local language, Dharmendra added.

The NCERT has been asked to prepare text books accordingly. Arrangements are being made to impart education and conduct examination in regional languages, the Minister informed.

In a tweet, Dharmendra said the National Education Policy (NEP) accords importance to all Indian languages as learning in own mother tongue will enable the students to get clarity in any subject.