A landmark decision by the Assam government has brought joy and pride to the Rabha community as 105 government schools have been officially notified to teach in the Rabha language. This historic announcement marks the first time Rabha, a tribal language spoken widely in Assam, will be introduced as the medium of instruction in public schools. The Education Department of Assam issued the notification on Thursday evening, designating 81 Lower Primary (LP) schools in Goalpara district and 24 in Kokrajhar district to begin teaching in Rabha medium. This move is seen as a significant step toward preserving the Rabha language and promoting education that respects the cultural roots of the community.
At a press conference, Rajkumar Rabha, General Secretary of the Bebak Rabha Kraurang Runchum (BRKR), also known as the Nikhil Rabha Sahitya Sabha, welcomed the decision as a “historic milestone.” He praised Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and Education Minister Dr. Ranoj Pegu for their leadership and commitment to recognizing the linguistic rights of the Rabha people.“In this initial phase, 105 schools have been notified for Rabha medium education, and we are hopeful that more schools will follow soon,” Rajkumar Rabha said. He also mentioned that many teachers currently serving in Assamese medium schools already have knowledge of the Rabha language, but the government plans to appoint dedicated Rabha language teachers to support the new curriculum.
The announcement received strong support from the All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU). President Motilal Rabha described it as a “major milestone for inclusive education,” emphasizing that this decision reflects the government’s commitment to educational equity and linguistic diversity. Referring to the official notification (letter no. E.No. 632888/68 dated May 15, 2025), he said the policy would help the community retain its cultural identity through formal education. Dr. Subhash Rabha, General Secretary of ARSU, highlighted the importance of mother tongue instruction, especially during early childhood education. He said, “Teaching children in their native language not only helps preserve Rabha but also benefits their overall cognitive and social development.”