IlAM: The Mangsebung Rural Municipality in Ilam district has initiated steps to develop and implement a Bantawa Language Curriculum as part of its effort to promote mother tongues in local schools.
Rural Municipality Chairman Hemanta Rai said a dedicated taskforce has been formed to lead the process. The municipality has already rolled out a local curriculum and a Limbu Language Curriculum in its schools.
“Following discussions and consultations with stakeholders, we have started developing the Bantawa Language Curriculum for schools in areas where the Bantawa-speaking population is dominant,” Chairman Rai explained.
The taskforce is headed by Jiban Jyoti Secondary School Headmaster Madan Kumar Rai and includes teachers Udaya Rai, Sakuntala Rai, and Ambika Prasad Rai, former teacher Gunja Kumar Rai, and Education Officer Yubraj Khanal.
Local community members have welcomed the move, noting that the teaching of indigenous languages is a right guaranteed by the constitution.
Krishna Kumar Rai, Central Assistant General Secretary of Kiran Rai Yoyokhha, said, “We have taken this decision positively and will provide our full support for its implementation.”
According to the National Population and Housing Census 2021, the Limbu community makes up 42.83 percent of Mangsebung’s population, while the Rai community accounts for 33.6 percent.
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