Shillong, April 22: Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui has written to the Union Education Minister seeking inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Central Board of Secondary Education language scheme, warning that students in Meghalaya could face a “disadvantage” under the board’s upcoming three-language policy.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Rymbui said the CBSE’s mandated three-language structure—R1, R2 and R3—does not currently include Khasi and Garo among its listed languages. “This will create difficulty for students of Meghalaya because Khasi and Garo are not included in the 44 languages under CBSE,” he said.
At present, Khasi and Garo are taught in CBSE schools only up to Class VIII in line with the Right to Education Act and National Education Policy 2020, which promote mother tongue instruction at the elementary level. However, under the new CBSE policy, three languages will become compulsory from Class VI starting 2026–27, with board examinations in all three languages to be held in Class X from 2031.
“The problem is what language students will opt for, as exams will be conducted for all three. This will be an issue for students studying in CBSE-affiliated schools such as Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas and private institutions,” Rymbui said. He informed that Meghalaya has nine private CBSE-affiliated schools, along with Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and two operational Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Pahamsyiem and Samanda, while 36 more EMRS are in the pipeline. “More than 2,000 students appear for CBSE exams every year,” he added.
Rymbui said he had immediately taken up the matter with CBSE authorities after the notification was issued. “I met the CBSE chairman and explained that if Khasi and Garo are not included, students from Meghalaya will face serious challenges,” he said. He also pointed out that the state Cabinet had recently granted official language status to Khasi and Garo, strengthening the case for their inclusion in the CBSE framework.
The minister further expressed hope that the Centre, along with National Council of Educational Research and Training, would develop textbooks and facilitate inclusion of the two languages. “As an interim measure, I have suggested using the expertise of the Meghalaya Board of School Education in Khasi and Garo so that students can benefit,” he said.
Rymbui added that inclusion of the languages would not only benefit students but also generate employment opportunities and strengthen Meghalaya’s demand for inclusion of Khasi and Garo in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. “I am confident that in due course, the Centre and CBSE will consider this positively and Khasi and Garo will be taught in CBSE-affiliated schools,” he added.
