In a landmark move to preserve and promote the Dimasa language, the Assam government has announced that 278 Lower Primary schools across the state will operate as Dimasa Medium schools from the 2025–26 academic session. This initiative is aimed at providing children from the Dimasa community the opportunity to learn in their mother tongue during their formative years. The official notification, issued by the Department of School Education (E.No. 632888/79), confirms that the listed schools will now adopt Dimasa as the medium of instruction at the foundational level. “In the interest of the public in general and for preserving and promoting the Dimasa language, the government is pleased to introduce Dimasa as the official medium of instruction in these schools,” the order stated.
The transition will initially cover schools under the administrative control of the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (NCHAC), with plans to expand to other areas having significant Dimasa-speaking populations. Authorities including the Director of Elementary Education, the Director of SCERT, and the Mission Director of Samagra Shiksha Assam have been instructed to ensure a smooth and effective implementation of the initiative.
Educationists and cultural experts have lauded the decision, calling it a significant step toward linguistic inclusion and cultural preservation in Assam. “Mother-tongue education at the foundational level not only strengthens learning outcomes but also reinforces a child’s cultural identity,” said a senior education official.