National Desk, 6th October: The Ministry of Education has responded to concerns raised by MP Indra Hang Subba regarding the inclusion of Tamang, Rai, Gurung, and Sherpa languages in the CBSE curriculum for Sikkim schools. In an official communication, Jayant Chaudhary, Minister of State for Education, acknowledged the cultural importance of these languages but cited logistical and academic challenges that currently hinder their inclusion in CBSE’s Class XI and XII curriculum.
Responding to Subba’s letter dated July 26, 2024, Chaudhary pointed out that low student enrollment—only 68 students across 14 schools—combined with a shortage of subject experts proficient in these languages posed significant barriers. He also noted that adding more languages to the curriculum could potentially extend examination durations, disrupting the academic calendar.
The Ministry emphasized that CBSE already offers ten languages from Sikkim, constituting 25% of its linguistic offerings, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to regional diversity. While the inclusion of Tamang, Rai, Gurung, and Sherpa languages faces hurdles, Chaudhary suggested further collaboration with the NCERT to explore ways to promote these languages through alternative educational initiatives, thereby preserving Sikkim’s rich linguistic heritage.