Meghalaya: Shillong MP Vincent Pala urges Centre to include Khasi and Garo languages in CBSE curriculum as second language options

Lok Sabha MP from Meghalaya’s Shillong constituency – Vincent Pala has urged the Centre to include Khasi and Garo languages in CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education) curriculum as second language options. 

Vincent Pala has written to Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank saying that both Khasi and Garo languages should be included in the CBSE curriculum as nearly 78 percent of Meghalaya’s population speak these two languages. 

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Pala in his letter to the Union Education Minister said: “The Population of Meghalaya is (approximately) 35 lakhs and 47% of the Population speak Khasi, 30.86 speak Garo while rest speak other languages. As per the newly published list of languages in the CBSE Curriculum, Khasi and Garo languages are not included, whereas Languages like Mizo and Tangkhul, spoken and used in a very small population are included in the list. Viz Mizo Language is spoken by approximately 12 lakh people and the number of people speaking Tangkhul is 1.83 lakhs.” 

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He added: “Khasi and Garo Languages are the mode of communication (both verbal and written) for not only the indigenous residents of the state of Meghalaya but also for large sections of the inhabitants of other states in the Northeast who have Khasi and Garo ancestry. In fact, a sizeable population of Bangladesh also speaks the Khasi and Garo language.” 

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Vincent Pala concluded his letter by saying: “It is therefore pertinent to note that CBSE affiliated schools are not popular in the state of Meghalaya although parents are aware that CBSE is the best board for appearing in the various competitive examinations. I, therefore, fervently request you to consider the inclusion of Khasi and Garo languages in the list of Approved languages at the earliest so that the children of my state can receive the best of education.”