Gangtok, Aug. 27: Chief minister Pawan Chamling’s decision to make Nepali mandatory has put schools in a fix.

Authorities of the schools are not too sure about what to make of the latest statement since Nepali is already taught as a second language in all schools across the state.

Apart from Nepali, the schools also offer Bhutia, Lepcha and other state languages as second language options.

Chamling made the announcement on “Bhasa Diwas”, the day marking the inclusion of the Nepali language in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution, while he addressed a gathering at the golden jubilee celebrations of Sudunglakha Senior Secondary School.

He said the government had taken a policy decision to make Nepali a compulsory subject in the schools.

“Nepali language has become the identity of the Nepali community. It is one language that not only binds the Nepali community but also creates a bond between other groups residing in the state,” Chamling explained.

“The vibrancy and richness of this language has to be preserved,” he added.

Making Nepali a compulsory subject would lead to “further enrichment of the language” and also contribute towards the development of other recognised languages of the state, he said.

Trying to clear the air, political adviser to Chamling B.B. Gooroong explained that what the chief minister had tried to convey was that “Nepali being our lingua franca should be developed and propagated further. It is now taught in schools as a second language with English as the medium of instruction. But if it is made compulsory as a third language or additional language, students from non-Nepali communities would also get the opportunity to learn the language”.

Officials at the state education department, however, denied receiving any such directive that intended to make Nepali a compulsory subject in all schools of the state.

“We can only discuss the matter once the order reaches us through official procedures,” they said.

An official decision on the issue is still awaited, following which it will be taken up for discussion by the legislative council and the Cabinet.

The proposal will be implemented after it clears both levels.