Friday, Feb 14, 2025 08:45 [IST]
Last Update: Thursday, Feb 13, 2025 16:48 [IST]
GANGTOK,: The Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
has opened doors for teaching of Bhutia language as one of the second languages
in ICSE and ISC-affiliated schools from this academic session.
The
CISCE recognition for Bhutia language, notified on February 12, follows
relentless efforts from BKYT (BhutiaLiterary Association) with total support
from Sikkim government.
Minister
Sonam Lama, also the BKYT chief patron, shared the important news at a press
meet here on Wednesday evening along with BKYT executives.
According
to BKYT, the inclusion of Bhutia language by CISCE is a crucial step in preservation
and promotion of Bhutia language besides presenting a much-required opportunity
for students from Bhutia community and other interested in Bhutia language to
learn and connect with the Bhutia heritage in the educational ecosystem.
“Till
now, there was no system for teaching of Bhutia language in private schools as
it was not affiliated with CISCE even though parents wanted their children to
learn Bhutia language and the schools were also willing to do so. As Bhutia
language is now recognized as a second language by the CISCE, our students can
study Bhutia language in private schools also,” said minister Sonam Lama.
Lama
urged the Bhutia community members to have their children studying in private
schools to pursue Bhutia language since language is an important pillar of
preserving one’s culture, tradition and heritage. He added that other
interested parents can encourage their children to learn Bhutia language in
their schools.
Presently,
Bhutia language and other local languages are taught in CBSE-affiliated schools
here.
The
minister thanked Chief Minister PS Golay, the Government of Sikkim, the
Education department and BKYT members for the CISCE recognition to Bhutia
language. The Chief Minister extended his total support to this pending demand
of the Bhutia community which was a huge boost for the BKYT to take up this
demand successfully with the CISCE in Delhi, he said.
BKYT
president TsewangGyachho shared that the CISCE on February 12, after including
Bhutia language among the second languages to be taught, also uploaded the
Bhutia language syllabus in its official website. Since it is being taught in
the private schools from this academic session, the schools can start Bhutia
language classes from primary levels, he said.He mentioned that the National
Education Policy 2020 also prioritizes teaching of native languages in the
schools.
Text
books at primary levels are already available which means that the ICSE schools
can immediately start enrolling students for Bhutia language studies.
Pic:
Minister Sonam Lama and BKYT executives speaking to the media. SE Pic
