Bihar to Introduce Regional Languages in Primary Education, SCERT Begins Textbook Preparation

The Bihar government has decided to introduce regional languages, including Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Bajjika, as part of the curriculum for students of Classes 1 and 2 in all state-run schools from the next academic session. The initiative aims to strengthen mother-tongue-based education at the primary level and promote the state's linguistic diversity in accordance with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Education Minister Mithlesh Tiwary said on Tuesday.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has been entrusted with the responsibility of developing textbooks in six regional languages: Bhojpuri, Magahi, Surjapuri, Bajjika, Maithili and Angika.

Tiwary explained that the National Education Policy places considerable emphasis on the use of regional and mother tongues in school education to help children understand concepts more effectively while ensuring that India's linguistic heritage is preserved. The policy recommends that the medium of instruction in schools should preferably be the home language, mother tongue, local or regional language until at least Class 5.

The state government also intends to extend the initiative to students of Classes 3 to 5 in a subsequent phase. Textbooks in the identified regional languages will be developed for these classes as well, the minister said, indicating that the programme will gradually cover a wider section of primary school students.

Confirming the preparations, SCERT Director Yatendra Kumar Pal said the council has begun developing textbooks in all six languages for Classes 1 and 2. The content is being prepared with the involvement of teachers and subject experts familiar with the respective languages to ensure that the learning material is appropriate for young students. The books are expected to be introduced when the next academic session begins.

Jainendra Kumar Dost, an SCERT lecturer coordinating workshops to finalise the textbook content, said the council has already conducted one workshop and plans to organise two additional programmes. These discussions are intended to refine the learning material and incorporate the knowledge and suggestions of people with expertise in the regional languages.

Dost said the initiative is designed to give children greater opportunities to learn and acquire knowledge through languages they are familiar with, following the recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023, formulated in accordance with NEP 2020.

By introducing regional languages at the foundational stage, Bihar aims to make primary education more inclusive and culturally relevant while encouraging the continued use of its diverse linguistic traditions among younger generations.