Meghalaya Govt Plans to Introduce Khasi and Garo as Compulsory Languages Till Class 4

The move is aimed at promoting linguistic unity and preserving local languages in Meghalaya

The Education Department of Meghalaya has released a draft proposal to make Khasi and Garo compulsory languages for students up to Class 4 across the state.

For students whose mother tongue is Hindi, Assamese, Bengali, or Nepali, the proposal suggests introducing an additional subject either Basic Khasi or Basic Garo based on the region they are studying in.

The move is aimed at promoting linguistic unity and preserving local languages. The Education Department said the proposal will help promote mutual understanding between communities, preserve cultural identities, and create a sense of unity among the people of Meghalaya.

This initiative is in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which encourages multilingual education and early exposure to different languages.

Drawing on key principles of the NEP 2020, the Education Department said, “As research clearly shows that children pick up languages extremely quickly between the ages of 2 and 8 and that multilingualism has great cognitive benefits to young students, children will be exposed to different languages early on (but with a particular emphasis on the mother tongue).”

The proposal said that the NEP encourages students to learn at least two Indian languages while giving states and students the flexibility to choose.

“ The three-language formula will continue to be implemented while keeping in mind the Constitutional provisions, aspirations of the people, regions, and the Union, and the need to promote multilingualism as well as promote national unity. However, there will be a greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State. The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India. In particular, students who wish to change one or more of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6 or 7, as long as they are able to demonstrate basic proficiency in three languages (including one language of India at the literature level) by the end of secondary school,” it said.

To ensure students are not overburdened, other subjects may be rationalized accordingly, said the Education Department in the draft proposal.

The Education Department has sought suggestions from the public. Feedback can be submitted via email to megeducation@yahoo.com by May 9, 2025. Following this, stakeholder consultations will be held in a phased manner.

Read the draft proposal here:

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