Press Release
Date: May 24, 2025
Issued by: Anzer Ayoob, President, Chenab Times Foundation
Chenab Times Foundation Appeals to Jammu & Kashmir Government to Prioritise “Mother Tongue” in School Education under JKBOSE
Doda, Jammu and Kashmir:
The Chenab Times Foundation, a registered public trust dedicated to preserving and promoting the linguistic and cultural diversity of the Chenab region, strongly urges the Government of Jammu and Kashmir to align the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) with the spirit of the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2023 and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 by adopting “mother tongue” as the medium of instruction at the foundational level in government and affiliated private schools.
This appeal comes in the wake of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) directive dated May 22, 2025, mandating the use of the mother tongue or state language as the primary medium of instruction from kindergarten up to Class 2. The move is grounded in the understanding that early education in a child’s most familiar language ensures better cognitive, emotional, and academic outcomes.
In the Chenab Valley—comprising the districts of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban—the Kashmiri language is spoken by more than 47% of the population, yet it remains marginalised in formal education. Similarly, Dogri, the language of the Duggar region—encompassing Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and parts of Reasi—is integral to the cultural identity of its people, but is often overlooked in foundational education in favour of English or Urdu.
Anzer Ayoob, President of the Chenab Times Foundation, stated:
“The mother tongue is more than a means of communication—it is the vessel of our culture, our heritage, and our identity. For the children of the Chenab and Duggar regions, learning in Kashmiri or Dogri from the foundational stage will ensure deeper understanding, improved literacy outcomes, and greater emotional connection to their roots.”
The Foundation calls upon the Directorate of School Education, Jammu (DSEJ), and JKBOSE to:
- Mandate mother tongue-based instruction—specifically Kashmiri in the Chenab region and Dogri in the Duggar region—at the foundational stage (ages 3–8).
- Constitute linguistic assessment and curriculum committees at the district level, in line with the CBSE’s latest directive, to identify the dominant languages spoken by schoolchildren.
- Train teachers in multilingual and mother tongue-based pedagogy by July 2025, ensuring they are equipped to deliver quality education in local languages.
- Develop culturally relevant learning materials in Kashmiri and Dogri in collaboration with local scholars, educators, and institutions.
As a grassroots media and advocacy organisation, the Chenab Times Foundation reiterates its commitment to the linguistic empowerment of the Chenab and Duggar populations and is ready to support the government in policy formulation, research, and public awareness initiatives.
Contact:
Chenab Times Foundation
Email: contact@ctft.org
Website: www.ctft.org
End of Release