Condemns non-inclusion of bodo language in CTET exam

02nd July 2020

NEFIS CONDEMNS NON-INCLUSION OF 8TH SCHEDULE BODO LANGUAGE AS MEDIUM OF EXAMINATION IN CTET EXAM!
SUBMITS MEMO TO DC, KOKRAJHAR ADDRESSED TO CBSE CHAIRPERSON!
DENOUNCES THE MOVE OF CBSE TO CREATE INEQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR GOVT SCHOOL STUDENTS BELONGING TO DEPRIVED SECTIONS!
DEMANDS IMMEDIATE INCLUSION OF ALL LOCAL LANGUAGES INCLUDING BODO IN ALL-INDIA EXAMS!

North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) activists today along with the students from various educational institutions today submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner, Kokrajhar which was addressed to the Chairperson, CBSE.

The memorandum raised the issue of non-inclusion of Bodo language among the languages offered as medium of examination in the CTET exam, which is being conducted by CBSE for the year 2020. It should be noted that the Bodo language is included in the 8th Schedule of Indian Constitution, which lists the recognized major languages used by the people across the country.

Exclusion of Bodo language from the CTET exam which includes other languages of the list amounts to a blatant attempt at discriminating against one of the most deprived communities of the country.

It should be noted that NEFIS had submitted a memorandum to the CBSE last year regarding the issue. Moreover, CBSE had assured NEFIS that the issue would be presented before the appropriate body.

However, till now neither has the issue been resolved, nor has the CBSE included Bodo language for CTET exam being conducted this year, which shows that the CBSE is apathetic towards the issues of the marginalized people across the country.

Important to note is the fact that most of the state government-run schools have local languages as medium of instruction across the country. It should be noted that Bodo language was instituted as a medium of instruction at the primary level in 1963. It was recognized by UPSC and APSC in 2005 and it is recognized by UGC in the NET exam and by the State Government of Assam in the SLET exam.

However, in the CTET exam which is being conducted by the CBSE it is not allowed as a medium of examination. This is a measure which creates exclusion for majority of the applicants who have studied from government schools and belong to poor and deprived backgrounds.

Moreover, it shows utter disregard of the central government for the students of marginalized backgrounds. NEFIS also criticizes the move of Assam government to exclude Bodo language as an option in the Judicial Services exams.

In the memorandum submitted, it was demanded that Bodo language should be included as a medium of examination in the CTET exam. Also, it was demanded that all the local languages which are medium of instruction in governemt schools across the country should be included as a medium of examination in all the All-India exams.

NEFIS would further be intensifying its struggle, if its demands are not immediately met. It has also resolved to struggle against the discriminatory step of Assam government to exclude Bodo as a language in Judicial Services exams.

Hem Chandra Brahma,
Member,
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS)