Kargil/ February 25, 2021: The Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor LAHDC Kargil Feroz Ahmad Khan has raised objection over the exclusion of Purigi language from the task list in implementation of the newly formed National Education Policy.

The CEC raised his objection on Thursday in a letter to the Commissioner/ Secretary to Government (school Education) UT Ladakh after he received a representation from the Purigi Writers Community.

“I am in receipt of a representation from the Purigi Writers Community raising their objection to the non-inclusion of Purigi in the task list of the implementation of National Education Policy in UT Ladakh”, said the letter, a copy of which is with this office.

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“The said task list has been issued by the Directorate of Education, Union Territory of Ladakh vide order number: 119 DSEL of 2021, Dated 18-02-2021 wherein he has constituted of committee for working on various tasks for implementation of National Education Policy 2020.”

“The committees are to submit their draft within two weeks of time i.e. by 4 March 2021. Whereas in the context of the NEP para 4.11-4.22, the serial number 09, task number 88 of the annexure-1 of the same order mentions a task to develop guidelines for preparing resource materials and courses for languages English, Hindi, Bhoti, Urdu, and Arabic thereby ignoring, “Purigi” the largest spoken language of Ladakh.”

The New Education Policy stresses on imparting education in the mother tongue and the mother tongue of 66% of the population of Kargil district is Purigi. It is, therefore, surprising to find Purigi missing from the task list of the implementation Of National Education Policy in UT Ladakh.

The Purigi writer’s community feels that the UT Administration has continuously been resorting to such tactics regarding the majority spoken language which is very unfortunate, maintained the letter.

The LAHDC Kargil is also of the view that the Purigi language should get its due in the post-UT setup of Ladakh. Immense work is needed to be done with regards to its promotion as well as preservation of Purigi language. You may therefore please direct the concerned for inclusion of Purigi in the list of Tasks for implementation of the NEP 2020, the CEC noted.

The above said Task is to develop guidelines, resources and support material for teachers on multilingualism, in order to harness the power of language. Following material will be specifically developed by the committee: Guidelines for preparing courses and syllabi on Indian Languages, textbooks in various languages as subjects (in three phases) and teachers’ handbooks and material for teachers’ professional development.

The committee to perform the above said task includes Dr Lotus Rabgias Teacher, Rev. Sonam Paljor Teacher, and Rev. Jamyang Angchuk Teacher for “Bhoti” language. For Hindi language the committee consist of Ms Norzin Angmo, and Ms Rigzin Chondol. For the English language, the members are Mr Lobzang Tsering Rahul and Sonam Paldan. For Urdu/ Arabic the committee consists of Sajad Ali and Gh. Mohd Dhar.