West Bengal Schools: Bangla now compulsory

Learning Bangla is going to be made compulsory for every student in West Bengal, as per a state government announcement on Monday night.

Students in private and government schools currently learn three languages, the first usually being the educational institution's medium of instruction, followed by two other languages of the student's liking.

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Learning Bangla was compulsory only in schools under the state education board.

As per the announcement, either the second or the third language has to be Bangla.

As for the third language, students will be able to choose from 30 under the Central Board of Secondary Education or the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education.

Making the announcement at his Kolkata home, West Bengal Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said a circular in this regard would be issued soon.

The state government is respectful towards every mother tongue and unity among diversity is a strength of India, he said, adding that the decision would enable students to reach regional, national and international levels.