Lepcha Language to Be Taught in Primary Schools of Darjeeling Hills After Long Struggle

KalimNews, November 20, 2024, Kalimpong: A notification has been issued to begin teaching the Lepcha language in primary schools across the Darjeeling hills, bringing immense joy to the community. This decision comes after a prolonged struggle, following the state government's 2014 announcement to introduce Lepcha language classes in primary schools under the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA). However, the implementation had been delayed due to opposition from the GTA at the time.

The initiative is seen as the fulfillment of an incomplete dream of Lyangsong Tamsang, the former chairman of the Mayel Lyang Lepcha Development Board (MLLDB). Expressing gratitude, Ruden Sada Lepcha, the current chairman of the MLLDB, stated, “We are deeply grateful to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and GTA Chief Anit Thapa for their support in making this happen. Congratulations to the entire Rong (Lepcha) community.”

According to a notification issued by the Education Department of the GTA, Lepcha language education will commence in 40 primary schools across the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts. For this purpose, 40 para-teachers who were appointed in 2015 will now join the primary schools under the District School Boards of Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Out of 46 selected para-teachers, comprising 27 men and 19 women, the GTA has granted permission for 40 to take up their roles in the schools.

In 2013, the state government decided to recruit 46 para-teachers to teach Lepcha in 46 primary schools in the GTA area. On June 3, 2014, a government notification instructed the district magistrate of Darjeeling to initiate the appointment process. However, the then GTA leadership, represented by spokesperson Roshan Giri, opposed the move, arguing that under the GTA Act of 2011, teacher appointments in the Darjeeling district fell within its jurisdiction.

espite this opposition, the district magistrate began the selection process on March 10, 2015, prompting the GTA to file a case in the Calcutta High Court. The GTA sought an interim stay on the appointments, but the court refused. Later that year, the High Court directed the West Bengal government to submit an affidavit detailing its steps regarding the appointments and questioned the frequent conflicts with the GTA. Since then, the court had placed a stay on the recruitment process, leaving the appointments unresolved for years.

The recent notification marks a significant step forward in preserving and promoting the Lepcha language and culture in the Darjeeling hills, a region renowned for its rich and diverse linguistic heritage.