Jharkhand launches multilingual education in 1,080 schools; UNICEF and LLF support enhances learning in native languages, ETEducation
Ranchi: The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC), in collaboration with United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (Unicef) and the Language Learning Foundation (LLF), has successfully implemented a multilingual education programme across over 1,080 schools, enabling tribal students to learn in their native languages like Mundari, Ho, Kharia, Kurukh and Santali.
The initiative aims to strengthen early-grade learning by using mother tongues as the foundational medium of instruction.
A Unicef India delegation led by deputy representative Arjan De Wagt visited Khunti district on Friday to witness first-hand how the mother-tongue based multilingual education model and girls’ empowerment initiatives are reshaping learning outcomes since past two years. The visit aimed to assess innovations in multilingual learning, girls’ education initiatives, STEM education, and life skills development being implemented across tribal communities in the district.
According to officials, the initiative began as a pilot in about 259 schools across seven districts of the state. However, it has now expanded to more than 1,080 schools in eight districts including Khunti, West singhbhum, Dumka, Sahebganj, Latehar, Lohardaga, Gumla, and Simdega.
During the visit, the Unicef team observed classroom interactions, teaching techniques, and student engagement strategies developed under the multilingual education programme.
Talking about the field experience, De Wagt said, “When children learn in the language they speak at home, they connect faster, understand better and feel more confident in the classroom.”
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