BHUBANESWAR: Minister of State for School and Mass Education Pratap Jena today told the Assembly that the Government had no proposal to set up a Santhali sahitya academy.
Replying to a call-attention motion jointly moved by Sananda Marandi, Srinath Soren and Sarojini Hembram, the Minister said that establishment of an academy for a particular language or dialect comes under the purview of the Culture Department. However, the demand for a separate academy for Santhali language had been referred to the Culture Department for consideration.
The Minister said that the demand for regularisation of community mobilisers teaching Santhali language and Ol Chiki script in primary schools of Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts will be considered. Presently, the Government is appointing only Shikhya Sahayaks against the regular vacant primary teacher posts.
Ol Chiki script was introduced at primary education level as an optional subject as per the recommendation of Debi Prasanna Patnaik Committee.
People conversant with Ol Chiki script and Santhali language were appointed as community mobilisers in 100 primary schools of Myurbhanj district. The schools were selected on the basis of Santhali students strength.
The community mobilisers were initially paid an honorarium of Rs 500 a month. However, their remuneration has been increased to Rs 1,500 a month from the current financial year, he said.
The Minister said that he would convene a meeting after the Assembly session to discuss promotion of Santhali language. People working for the promotion of the tribal language will be invited to the meeting, he said.