By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR:Union Education Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan has written a letter to Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel requesting for the social and educational development of the Odia community living in Gujarat, especially Surat. He has sought intervention for the promotion of Odia language and education in Gujarat.
Gujarat, especially Surat, has a significant Odia speaking population, who contribute significantly to the industrial and social sectors of the state. Keeping in view their interest and aspirations for Odia language and culture, Shri Pradhan has proposed to increase the number of Odia medium and higher secondary schools in Gujarat. He said that it would be welcome if the number of Odia language teaching and training schools were increased.
Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes on primary education in mother tongue, promotion of Indian languages and making multilingual education accessible and empowering.
In this context, the necessary institutional strengthening for Odia language in Gujarat is relevant. In addition, the introduction of Odia language as an optional subject in colleges and universities of the state and the establishment of Odia language departments will provide linguistic continuity to students in higher education, the Education Minister mentioned in the letter. Shri Pradhan suggested introducing NCERT-based curriculum to improve the quality of education and facilitate students migrating between Odisha and Gujarat. In this context, he proposed to introduce Teacher Eligibility Test (TT) for Odia language. This will help to overcome the shortage of qualified Odia teachers in government schools.
He has also enclosed the application received from ‘Surat Odia Samaj’ for the Chief Minister’s information. Shri Pradhan expressed the hope that the Gujarat Government will consider these matters with sympathy and take necessary action.
