Santhali up to Class VII from this session

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government is planning to introduce Santhali in Class V  to Class VII from this academic session. Textbooks are being prepared for this purpose.  Under the Sarva Siksha Abhijan, the Government had introduced Santhali teaching in 100 primary as well as upper primary schools of Mayurbhanj district during 2008-09 from Class I. Till last year, students were taught Santhali language up to Class IV but the Government has decided to expand the coverage now. That’s not all. There are already plans to introduce the language in high school level in Class IX and X. The Board of Secondary Education has already held talks with the Director, State Council for Educational Research and Training, Odisha Primary Education Programme Authority, on introduction of the language in the State Curriculum Framework 2007. In fact, the School and Mass Education Department had planned to start Santhali teaching in 60 more schools in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and Balasore and the Collectors were asked to submit the list of schools where multilingual situation is possible. However, Balasore District felt there was no need for introduction of Santhali in Nilagiri block, while in Mayurbhanj, the move could not take off due to local issues. In Keonjhar, the 20 schools have been identified and teaching will start soon.