SCERT Kashmir highlights multilingualism under NEP 2020
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By Arif Rashid
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28 Sep 2025
Srinagar, Sept 28: To promote and preserve linguistic diversity in Jammu & Kashmir, a two-day capacity-building program for Pahari language resource persons was conducted at Government Degree College, Tangdar, Karnah.
Under this initiative, 20 selected resource persons will lead training sessions for hundreds of Pahari-speaking teachers across the region, adopting a cascading model to ensure widespread impact.
The programme was inaugurated by the Principal of Government Degree College, Tangdar, who described it as a “historic step towards empowering local languages at the foundational level of education,” while commending the SCERT team and local organisers for their dedicated efforts.
Sheikh Gulzar Ahmad, Senior Academic Officer from the Education in Languages Wing of SCERT Kashmir, served as the chief resource person. In his sessions, he highlighted the importance of multilingualism as outlined in the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) and highlighted the crucial role of home language in fostering holistic child development.
“Children learn best in the language of their heart,” he said. He urged participants to incorporate local ecosystems, indigenous games, flora, fauna, and folk traditions into their pedagogical approaches, demonstrating how Pahari as a medium of instruction can nurture creativity, critical thinking, and effective communication among young learners.
Renowned Pahari poet, writer, and critic, Qureshi added depth to the discussions with a session focused on script standardisation—a long-standing community demand.
Participants showcased their insights through compelling presentations, tracing the historical roots of Pahari language back to the era of Emperor Ashoka, when it was believed to have been an official language. They also highlighted how oral traditions—folk songs, narratives, dramatic poetry, and cultural practices such as festivals and marriage rituals—can be preserved and promoted using modern digital platforms like YouTube and social media.
The sessions were moderated by Mushtaq Ahmad Mir, Senior Academic Officer at SCERT, whose energetic and eloquent moderation kept the discussions lively and engaging. Participants described his interventions as “electrifying” and “highly motivating.”
The programme concluded with a valedictory session attended by several dignitaries, including the Zonal Education Officer Tangdar, who extended the vote of thanks, along with representatives from Chemkote, the Principal of Higher Secondary School Kundi, and the Zonal Education Planning Officer Tangdar.
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