Punjab Mandates Punjabi in Schools to Protect Regional Language from CBSE’s New Exam Pattern
Punjab Government’s Bold Move: Punjabi Becomes Mandatory in Schools Amid CBSE Controversy
Chandigarh, February 26: In a strong response to the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) controversial new exam pattern, the Punjab government has mandated that Punjabi be taught as a main subject in all schools across the state, regardless of the board they follow. This new directive, which applies to both public and private institutions, underscores the state’s firm stance against what it perceives as a deliberate attempt by CBSE to marginalize regional languages. The Punjab government further declared that educational certificates will be considered invalid without Punjabi as a main subject, signaling its determination to preserve the language’s cultural and educational significance.
Punjab’s Stand Against CBSE’s New Exam Pattern
The latest move comes after Punjab’s Education Minister, Harjot Singh Bains, publicly criticized CBSE for its new exam structure, which has faced backlash for minimizing the presence of regional languages such as Punjabi in the curriculum. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Bains described the changes as part of a “well-planned conspiracy” to erase Punjabi from the educational landscape. He stressed that the language holds immense cultural value, not just for the people of Punjab, but for millions of speakers across India.
“Punjabi is not just a language; it is a symbol of our rich cultural heritage. It is spoken and cherished across multiple states, far beyond Punjab,” Bains remarked. He condemned the exclusion of Punjabi in the revised exam pattern, calling it a direct assault on India’s linguistic diversity and federal structure.
A National Issue: Bains’s Firm Stand
Bains emphasized that the matter extends beyond educational concerns to a broader national issue. He argued that the marginalization of regional languages, including Punjabi, represents a disregard for the diverse linguistic fabric of the country. “This is not just about one language; it is a matter of national importance,” he declared, reaffirming that the Punjab government would not tolerate attempts to impose a singular narrative on India’s diverse language ecosystem.
In addition to his criticism of the CBSE’s exam reform, Bains announced plans to write to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging him to hold the responsible officials accountable for the exclusion of Punjabi from the policy.
Punjab Government Takes Action Against Schools Violating Language Law
The Punjab government’s commitment to upholding the role of Punjabi in education is evident in its enforcement of the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008. The state’s education department has imposed fines on several schools found violating this law. Notably, Amity International School in Mohali was fined Rs 50,000 for not adhering to the law, which mandates that Punjabi be taught as a compulsory subject. The District Education Officer’s report highlighted the violation, leading to this action. Two other schools in Jalandhar also faced penalties for similar infractions.
This move signals the Punjab government’s resolve to ensure that the teaching of Punjabi remains a central part of the state’s educational framework. Bains has made it clear that the government will take stringent action against institutions that fail to comply with these regulations.
Punjab’s New Education Policy on the Horizon
As part of its broader commitment to preserving regional languages, the Punjab government is also set to develop its own education policy. Bains revealed that an expert committee will soon be formed to draft this policy, which will emphasize the importance of Punjabi in education and address the challenges posed by national reforms such as those introduced by CBSE. This policy aims to create a robust framework that ensures the continued relevance of Punjabi in the educational system, providing a model for other states to protect their regional languages as well.
CBSE Responds: Clarification on Exam Pattern
In response to the growing criticism from Punjab’s government, the CBSE quickly issued a clarification, attempting to quell concerns regarding the new exam pattern. The board’s statement clarified that the changes were intended to improve the overall structure of the curriculum and were not meant to marginalize any regional language, including Punjabi.
However, the Punjab government remains unconvinced, with Bains insisting that the matter goes beyond mere curriculum restructuring. He views the exclusion of Punjabi from the new framework as a significant oversight, which undermines the rights of states and their linguistic communities.
The Larger Debate on Language in Education
This controversy has sparked a wider debate on the role of regional languages in India’s educational system. While some argue that national-level reforms should be standardized to maintain cohesion, others, like Bains, believe that such reforms must be sensitive to India’s linguistic diversity. As this debate unfolds, Punjab’s stance could serve as a precedent for other states to advocate for the protection and promotion of their regional languages in education.