Deori & Tiwa Languages Recognized as Medium of Instruction in Assam’s Lower Primary Schools

In a significant move to preserve and promote indigenous languages, the Department of School Education has officially recognized Deori and Tiwa as mediums of instruction in selected Lower Primary (LP) schools across Assam. The decision, aimed at ensuring students from the Deori and Tiwa communities can learn in their native languages, was announced on Wednesday.

Under the new directive, 28 LP schools in the districts of Jorhat, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Lakhimpur, Biswanath, and Majuli will now operate as ‘Deori Medium Lower Primary Schools,’ while 98 Tiwa LP schools in West Karbi Anglong, Karbi Anglong, Morigaon, Nagaon, Kamrup (Metro), Hojai, and Dhemaji districts will be designated as ‘Tiwa Medium Lower Primary Schools.’

The change will come into effect starting the academic session of 2025-2026, ensuring that students in these schools are taught in their mother tongue.

Additionally, the Mising language has already been recognized as the medium of instruction in 200 LP schools across eleven districts, starting from April 2, 2025.

State Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu, speaking to the media, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “From today, the Mising language becomes the medium of instruction in LP schools. Additionally, the Deori and Tiwa languages have been notified as mediums of instruction in several districts.”

This initiative is part of a broader effort to promote linguistic diversity and cultural heritage in Assam’s education system.