Odisha Education Minister Takes Up Odia Language Issue With His Jharkhand Counterpart

Bhubaneswar: School and Mass Education Minister Samir Ranjan Dash has raised concern over exclusion of Odia language from the curriculum of teachers’ training course in Jharkhand.

In a letter to School Education Minister of the neighbouring state Jagarnath Mahto, Dash has stated that considering the homogeneous cultural heritage and identity of the two states, the Jharkhand government has recognised Odia as second state language.

“Our government is funding about 160 teachers through Utkal Samilani to impart education in Odia in the Odia speaking tracts like Sadheikala, Kharasuan, Singhbhoom and others. Around 35 Odia schools are also running in your state with the patronages of government,” Dash said.

The Odisha minister pointed out that the an advertisement published on September  20 by Jharkhand Academic Council has created doubt in the mind of Odia speaking people the state. In this advertisement, which is meant for primary school teachers’ training, Odia language has been excluded from the 7th paper while languages like Sanskrit, Bengali, Urdu, Ho, Mundari, Sanathali and Kudmali have been included.

Considering these facts, Dash requested Mahto to take necessary action in this regard to restore the trust of Odia speaking people.

Also Read: Odia Language Row: Edu Minister Samir Das Vows To Take Up Issue With Jharkhand