Kokrajhar: Assam education minister Ranoj Pegu urged the students of the state to learn more languages so that they can be in a more advantageous position in today’s competitive age.
Pegu was speaking on “BTR marching towards quality education-KG to PG” on the third day of the first Bodoland International Knowledge Festival organised by Bodoland University in Kokrajhar on Wednesday. The festival was organized with active support from Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) government.
“To learn lessons in one’s mother language is good. We are facilitating that but there is no harm in learning more languages at a young age. In fact, in today’s competitive age and in a multi-lingual country like India, by learning more languages besides their respective mother tongues, our students can be in an advantageous position. You must know, language is a skill,” Pegu said addressing the gathering at the stakeholders’ session with SMC/ SMDC/ parents/ teachers and students.
Learning more languages will not hurt one’s mother tongue, he also said.
“We shouldn’t block the means to learn more languages. Experts have opined that young minds can easily learn multiple languages. It comes to them naturally. It’s not an additional pressure on them. So, let us see it in a positive mentality. We shouldn’t see the language issue emotionally. If I’m studying in Bodo medium, it’s fine. But if I learn Assamese, Hindi and English at the same time, it’s an added qualification and advantage for me. Mother tongue will be safe and secured in its place,” Pegu reckoned.
The education minister further said that the government is gradually working to convert Bodo medium high schools into higher secondary schools from the next education session.
Pegu said separate TET exams will be conducted for upper primary and lower primary schools in the Sixth Schedule areas like BTR, Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao.
“Advertisements will be issued within the next two to three days and I think the process will be completed within May this year. After this, the problems of teachers’ shortage will be solved in the BTR,” Pegu added.
Speaking on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Pegu said: “We want to make skill training an integral part of education. We are working to incorporate skill training in schools and we are working to reconstruct the education system. We need your support.”
Pegu also urged the teachers and employees of the education department to change their mentality towards positivity.
Further, he said about the government’s action to invite private parties to set up ITIs in different parts of Assam.
The Bodoland International Knowledge Festival is being attended by scholars, researchers, journalists, experts, diplomats and students from across India and from different countries across the globe.
EASTMOJO PREMIUM
Help sustain honest journalism.
On the occasion, BTR Chief Pramod Boro said they want to transform Bodoland into a new place of intelligent people with knowledge sharing.
“We want to learn and bring development in all aspects. I hope this festival will help us to reach our goals,” said Boro.
Earlier, the festival was inaugurated on Monday with several dignitaries including Nobel laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Padma Shri awardee philanthropist and diamond exporter Savji Bhai Dholakia, SECMOL founder Sonam Wangchuk, Bollywood actor and philanthropist Vivek Oberoi among others.
Also Read | Conrad meets Himanta in Guwahati ahead of counting day in Meghalaya
Assamese is the official language of the state of Assam in India. This language belongs to the easternmost group of Indo Aryan languages. Though Assamese language is mainly spoken in Assam, it is also used in several parts of the state of Arunachal Pradesh and some more North Eastern Indian states. Assamese language is basically found along the Brahmaputra valley.
https://www.indianetzone.com/44/assamese_language.htm