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