Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba has urged the Union Education Ministry to include tribal languages as optional subjects in the CBSE curriculum for Classes 11 and 12. During the recent parliamentary session, he raised this demand, emphasising the need to promote and preserve indigenous languages that are at risk of fading out. He specifically mentioned languages like Rai, Sherpa, Tamang, and Gurung, which are spoken by tribal communities in the northeast, including his home state of Sikkim.
I feel this is an important step that deserves attention, especially in a country as diverse as ours. Language is not just a way to communicate—it carries culture, identity, and tradition. When students learn in their mother tongue or get an opportunity to study it formally, it helps strengthen their roots. Writing about this topic matters because many such tribal languages are slowly losing speakers. Including them in mainstream education boards like CBSE can help reverse that trend and also offer students a stronger sense of pride in their heritage. It’s a small but meaningful change that could have a long-lasting impact.
Why This Demand Matters
Including tribal languages as optional subjects is not just about academics. It is about giving value and space to regional and indigenous knowledge systems within the national education structure.
Key Points of the MP’s Demand:
- Languages Mentioned: Bhutia, Lepcha, Limbu
- Board: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Level: Classes 11 and 12 (senior secondary level)
- Status: Currently under consideration, no official response yet from the Ministry
Subba pointed out that while NEP 2020 talks about multilingual education and preservation of local languages, tribal languages are still missing from many national boards, including CBSE. He argued that including these as optional subjects will not only help in preserving culture but also improve academic interest among tribal students.
What the National Education Policy Says
The National Education Policy 2020 supports learning in mother tongue/local language at least till Class 5, and preferably till Class 8. It also promotes multilingualism and the use of regional languages in higher education. However, actual implementation in central boards like CBSE has been slow, especially when it comes to tribal languages.
Current Language Options in CBSE Include:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Classical Languages | Sanskrit, Persian |
| Modern Indian Languages | Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Urdu |
| Foreign Languages | French, German, Spanish |
There is a clear gap when it comes to tribal languages spoken in the northeast, central India, and parts of southern India.
How This Could Benefit Students
If CBSE introduces tribal languages as optional subjects, it could lead to several benefits:
- Preservation of Culture: Helps keep endangered languages alive for future generations
- Improved Learning Outcomes: Students perform better when they study in their mother tongue
- Boost in Confidence: Helps tribal students feel included and represented
- Career Scope: Could create more interest in linguistics, translation, literature, and regional studies
States like Sikkim already offer some of these languages at the state board level. But their inclusion in CBSE would open up access to a wider range of students, especially those studying in central government schools like Kendriya Vidyalayas and Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas.
