Education policy should reflect Jharkhand's linguistic, cultural and social diversity: Chief Minister
Students' interests, talents and practical skills should be developed alongside academic education.
Emphasis on skill-based learning, English-speaking classes and digital literacy.
Draft policy focuses on integrating mother tongues and local languages into school education.
Ranchi, Nov 2026 : Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Thursday participated in a meeting to review the presentation of the draft Jharkhand State Language Education Policy at the state secretariat.
Chairing the meeting, the Chief Minister directed officials to formulate an inclusive and forward-looking education policy that takes into account the state's linguistic diversity, students' educational needs, skill requirements, digital capabilities and future challenges.
He said the policy should be designed not only to ensure academic excellence but also to strengthen students' knowledge, skills and overall development. The objective of education should go beyond completing the prescribed curriculum and focus on making students capable, confident and competitive enough to face future challenges.
Soren observed that Jharkhand has considerable linguistic, cultural and social diversity. Children in the state grow up speaking their mother tongues and distinct local languages at home and within their communities, while Hindi or English is generally used as the medium of instruction in schools.
He pointed out that differences between the languages spoken at home and those used in classrooms should not adversely affect children's understanding, expression, participation and learning abilities, particularly during the foundational years of education.
He said the proposed Jharkhand State Language Education Policy was necessary to address this gap.
The Chief Minister further stated that the state's linguistic diversity was an important part of its rich cultural heritage. The education system should develop methods that allow students to learn effectively in their mother tongues while also encouraging innovation and new approaches in the field of education.
Emphasis on Skill-Based Education
The Chief Minister stressed the need to integrate skill-based education into the state's academic framework.
He said students' interests, talents and practical abilities should be developed alongside formal education. He also called for considering the introduction of various skill-based learning modules.
Soren observed that children in Jharkhand have demonstrated remarkable talent and performance in different fields. Skill-based education would provide them with opportunities to identify, nurture and strengthen their abilities and pursue promising careers.
Ensure English-Speaking Classes for Students
The Chief Minister also emphasised the need to ensure regular English-speaking classes for students.
He said students often need to travel to different states to pursue higher education, appear for competitive examinations and participate in specialised professional programmes. In such circumstances, proficiency in spoken English and communication skills would significantly boost their confidence.
He directed officials to ensure appropriate arrangements for English-speaking classes for students after completing Class 12. This would help them become more proficient and confident in communicating in English, while also improving their prospects in higher education and employment.
Focus on Digital Empowerment of Students
Soren also highlighted the importance of making students digitally proficient and empowered.
He said the education policy should be designed in such a way that students develop the ability to understand and use technology alongside their academic learning.
He directed officials to prepare the policy by taking into account changing educational requirements, practical examinations and the growing importance of digital learning.
Mother Tongue, Hindi and English as Complementary Languages
The Chief Minister said the education policy should be based on the principle of multilingualism.
He suggested that students should be provided with learning opportunities that integrate their mother tongues and local languages with other languages.
He emphasised that the policy should recognise the mother tongue, Hindi and English as complementary languages rather than treating them as competing mediums of instruction.
Draft Policy Prepared Around Three Educational Stages
During the meeting, officials informed the Chief Minister that a committee had been constituted in July 2025 to formulate the Jharkhand State Language Education Policy.
The committee studied the education systems followed in Jharkhand as well as those adopted by other states before preparing the draft policy.
During the presentation, officials explained that the draft policy has been structured around three major educational stages:
Foundational Stage: Pre-primary education up to Class 2.
Preparatory Stage: Classes 3 to 5.
Secondary and Higher School Stage: Classes 6 to 12.
The policy places special emphasis on integrating students' mother tongues and local languages into school education across these three stages. The objective is to enable children to understand lessons more effectively in their familiar languages and achieve better academic outcomes.
Officials said the policy would help preserve, promote and expand the use of Jharkhand's local languages. It is also expected to improve students' learning processes and encourage greater use of regional languages in the education system.
The meeting also witnessed detailed discussions on the specific provisions of the proposed policy and various aspects of the draft framework.
Senior Officials Attend Meeting
Those present at the meeting included Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar, Secretary of the School Education and Literacy Department Umashankar Singh, State Project Director of Jharkhand Education Project Ravi Ranjan, Tribal Research Institute (TRI) Director Alok Tripathi Kachhap, and JAC Secretary S.D. Tigga, along with other senior officials.
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