Punjab Government Makes Punjabi a Mandatory Core Subject in All Schools

Chandigarh, February 26 Tajeemnoor Kaur Anandpuri

Taking a bold stand against what it calls a "deliberate conspiracy" to sideline regional languages through CBSE’s new exam pattern, the Punjab Government has issued a notification making Punjabi a compulsory core subject in all schools across the state, regardless of the educational board they are affiliated with. According to the new directive, schools that fail to implement this mandate will have their certifications revoked.

Notably, following Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains’ strong opposition to CBSE's alleged attempt to neglect the Punjabi language, CBSE promptly issued a clarification on the matter.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhavan, Harjot Singh Bains emphasized that Punjabi is spoken and studied beyond Punjab, highlighting its national and global significance. He stated, "Punjabi is not just a language but a symbol of our rich cultural heritage, cherished by millions across the country." He further accused CBSE of intentionally downplaying Punjabi through its new academic pattern, calling it a tactical move to diminish the language’s relevance.

Raising concerns over CBSE’s education policy ignoring Punjabi, Bains announced that he would write to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, urging him to hold accountable those officials responsible for this discrimination against Punjab.

He asserted, "CBSE must understand that this is not just about language preference; it is a matter of national importance. It violates the rights of states and the federal structure, directly attacking the linguistic diversity of our country."

The Education Minister made it clear, "We will not tolerate any attempt to impose a singular ideology on our nation. We demand that CBSE respects India's federal structure and ensures due recognition and respect for all languages, including Punjabi."

Reaffirming Punjab’s commitment to safeguarding its linguistic heritage, Bains revealed that the Punjab Government had fined Mohali’s Amity International School ₹50,000 for violating the Punjab Learning of Punjabi and Other Languages Act, 2008, which mandates Punjabi as a compulsory subject. According to a report from the District Education Officer (Secondary), the school was found guilty of breaching this Act. Previously, two schools in Jalandhar were also penalized for similar violations.

He further announced that the Punjab Government will soon introduce its own education policy, with a committee of experts being formed to draft the new framework.