Jaipur: In a major initiative, Rajasthan is preparing to introduce Sanskrit as a subject in pre-primary classes across state govt schools. This is being spearheaded by both the Sanskrit and the education departments and aims to teach children aged 3 to 5 the ancient language, said to be the first such programme in the country.The Sanskrit education department has already developed a set of books tailored for young learners, confirmed govt officials. These are designed to be used in both Sanskrit and Hindi/English medium govt schools, highlighting the inclusive approach of the initiative.Currently, the state boasts of 2,369 Sanskrit schools, comprising 1,867 govt-run institutions and 502 private ones.The educational material includes illustrations depicting food items, numbers, animals, birds and modes of transport, each accompanied by their corresponding Sanskrit words. To enhance the learning experience, the teaching material features interactive activities that encourage children to match words with pictures, fostering better recollection of the vocabulary.Aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP), each book concludes with a comprehensive list of all the words taught, presented in Sanskrit, Hindi and English, along with a column for children to write down the equivalent word in their mother tongue.Priyanka Jodhawat, commissioner of Sanskrit education, emphasised the importance of this initiative, “Simple Sanskrit words have been provided in the books so that children can use them in conversation and familiarise themselves with the language from a young age.”The books also introduce concepts such as numbers through colorful balls, along with lessons on the days of the week, body parts and moral stories, all illustrated for better engagement.While the decision on implementing the timeline is still pending at the state govt level, the initiative has already garnered attention. YS Ramesh, director of Central Sanskrit University, Jaipur, and head of the curriculum development committee for these books, said, “Rajasthan is the first state to implement the pattern of the NEP in Sanskrit education by preparing books in Sanskrit for pre-primary classes.“As the state prepares to implement the new language policy, many are hopeful that it will not only promote Sanskrit learning but will also instill a sense of cultural heritage among younger generations.
