Nagaland University to Develop Grammar for 18 Naga Languages for Inclusion in School Textbooks

Nagaland University to create written grammar for 18 Naga languages for school textbooks under NEP 2020, ensuring preservation of linguistic heritage.

Nagaland University has launched a major initiative to develop written grammar for 18 recognised Naga languages. The project will support the integration of structured language resources into school textbooks from Class 5 to Class 12, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

While Naga languages have been taught in schools for decades, none of them had a dedicated written grammar to aid the teaching-learning process. The new effort aims to systematically document parts of speech, tense and aspect, phrase and clause structures, tone, vocabulary, and orthography, ensuring standardisation and clarity in classroom teaching.

As per a statement issued by the university, the initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education, Government of Nagaland, with support from the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and the Nagaland Board of School Education (NBSE). The developed grammars will be incorporated alongside prose, poetry, and translation sections in school textbooks.

Speaking about the initiative, Prof. Jagadish K Patnaik, Vice Chancellor of Nagaland University, said, “This endeavour is not merely an academic exercise but a cultural mission – one that seeks to preserve, strengthen, and promote the linguistic heritage of our people.”

To ensure smooth classroom adoption, teacher training programmes and refresher courses will be conducted by Nagaland University. The move is expected to strengthen NEP 2020’s vision of multilingual education and prevent the marginalisation of indigenous languages by giving each Naga language equal academic value.

“Teaching grammar from the early stages will give clarity, prevent confusion, and build a strong foundation in our students’ language education,” added Kevileno Angami, Commissioner and Secretary, Department of School Education and SCERT.

The 18 Naga languages covered under this project are: Ao, Chang, Chokri, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Kuzhale (Khezha), Liangmai, Lotha, Nthenyi (Southern Rengma), Nzonkhwe (Northern Rengma), Phom, Pochury, Sangtam, Sümi, Tenyidie (Angami), Yimkhiung, and Zeme.

Currently, only a few languages—such as Tenyidie, Ao, Lotha, and Sümi—are taught beyond Class 8, with Tenyidie offered up to M.A. and Ph.D. level. Experts believe this grammar-writing project will pave the way for other Naga languages to be taught at higher levels of education, ensuring their long-term preservation and growth.