Ranchi: Jharkhand govt is working on a state language education policy that seeks to combine mother-tongue instruction with Hindi and English learning and incorporate skill-based and digitally oriented education into the school system.Chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday reviewed the draft of a proposed Jharkhand State Language Education Policy and asked officials to frame a practical and future-ready policy that reflects the state’s linguistic, cultural and social diversity.The proposed framework is based on a trilingual approach in which mother tongue, Hindi and English would function as complementary languages rather than competing mediums of instruction. Stressing the importance of multilingual learning, Soren said, “Students should be able to acquire second and third languages without losing proficiency in their first language.”“The policy draft covers three stages of schooling, from early childhood education to Class XII, and aims to promote local languages while preparing students for higher education, competitive examinations and future employment opportunities,” said an official.Officials informed the CM that the draft policy has been prepared after studying education models in Jharkhand and other states. It places special emphasis on integrating mother tongues and local languages into school education, particularly in the foundational years, to improve comprehension, classroom participation and learning outcomes.Soren said, “The state’s rich linguistic diversity should be viewed as a strength and linked with the education system to help children learn more effectively.” He said while many students communicate in local and tribal languages at home, classroom teaching is often conducted in Hindi or English, creating learning barriers during the early years of schooling.The CM also pushed for greater focus on employability-oriented education and asked officials to ensure spoken English classes for students before they complete Class XII and emphasised digital literacy as an essential component of the policy. He also suggested exploring the inclusion of hockey in skill-based education programmes, citing Jharkhand’s strong track record in producing national-level players.
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