Punjab News: Bhagwant Mann Government Mandates Punjabi as a Core Subject in All Punjab Schools

The Punjab government has made it mandatory for all schools in the state, regardless of the education board, to teach Punjabi as a main and compulsory subject, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced on Wednesday.

Under the new directive, all schools affiliated with the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB), Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), and Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) must include Punjabi in their curriculum.

Addressing a press conference, Bains stated, “If Punjabi is taught without being the main subject, the Class 10 certificate will be considered null and void. This will apply to all education boards in Punjab.” The AAP-led government has issued a fresh notification to enforce the directive with immediate effect.

Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains said the AAP-led state government has issued a fresh notification with immediate effect whereby Punjabi will be the main subject for Class 10 under any education board in the state.

Bains Accuses CBSE of Dropping Punjabi from Class 10 Subject List

Bains also accused the Union government and CBSE of attempting to sideline the Punjabi language. He criticized the CBSE’s draft examination policy, which includes several regional languages but excludes Punjabi from the Class 10 subject list.

“This is a well-planned conspiracy against Punjab, Punjabi, and Punjabiyat,” Bains stated, urging immediate corrective action. The CBSE has published draft norms on its website, seeking feedback from stakeholders by March 9.

The move by the Punjab government aims to preserve and promote the Punjabi language, ensuring that it remains an integral part of education in the state.