Assam A Laboratory for Mother Tongue Based Education

Vinod Kakumanu
Dec. 6, 2021, 4:05 p.m.

During the inauguration of a two-day North-East Education Conclave, Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Education Minister spoke about the emphasis that NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 places on the importance of imparting education in the native language at the primary level. He said that the north-east region of India epitomises diversity as the people there speak in around 180 different languages. With Assam being the gateway to north-east, he announced that Assam will be made a ‘laboratory for mother-tongue based education’.

The minister spoke in praise of NEP that it is focused on equipping students with the requisite 21st century skills and knowledge and preparing them to become global citizens. He hailed NEP as a unifying factor in stimulating the Indian knowledge systems, regional languages, and art and culture.

Pradhan further said that as part of its efforts to ensure parity in educational opportunities across the nation, the Centre is preparing a roadmap for creating ‘Special Education Zones’. According to him, Guwahati has the potential of becoming the educational hub of not only the north-east region but also of the entire nation.

Speaking about the growth and empowering opportunities provided by the NEP to the students, Assam Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, said that this will take the country to greater heights. He further said that the deliberations of the conclave would be helpful in the finalisation of a roadmap for the implementation of NEP in the state within a time-frame.