AAP govt brings in Maithili as optional subject in schools

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 16

The government on Monday decided to introduce Maithili language in its schools. The language would be an optional subject from classes VIII to XII.

Education Minister Manish Sisodia said in Delhi around 70 to 80 lakh persons speak Maithili or Bhojpuri, but these languages were not being given priority in schools or other educational institutes. The minister said the government had also decided to provide coaching for Indian Administrative Services and other competitive exams to students opting for these two languages.

He said Bhojpuri was not listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution and the government would also take up the issue with the Centre to include the language in the list.

The government would also conduct five-day Maithili and Bhojpuri utsav at Connaught Place and the Maithili and Bhojpuri academy would announce life-time achievement awards in different categories like literature, journalism and arts, said Sisodia, adding that, the prize amount for it would be Rs 2.5 lakh and the consolation prizes would be Rs 1 lakh each.

‘BJP opposing initiative’

The BJP is opposing the AAP’s initiative of introducing Maithili language in the government schools. Purvanchalies are happy with the decision of the government but the BJP is doing the propaganda for political gain. — Raghav Chadha, AAP leader