RANCHI, Nov. 5 -- Chief minister Hemant Soren on Wednesday directed officials to formulate an education policy with due consideration for the linguistic, cultural, and social diversity of Jharkhand, besides giving respect to the students' mother tongues while simultaneously strengthening their knowledge, skills, and capacity for self-expression. The Chief Minister gave these instructions today at the Jharkhand Secretariat during a meeting regarding the draft of the 'Jharkhand State Language Education Policy,' which the Department of School Education and Literacy presented. The objective of education should not merely be curriculum completion; rather, it should aim to make students capable, self-confident, and competitive against future challenges, the Chief Minister said. "Presiding over the meeting, Chief Minister Hemant Soren instructed officials to develop a practical and visionary education policy that addresses the state's linguistic diversity, students' academic needs, skill development, digital proficiency, and future challenges. He noted that Jharkhand possesses an exceptionally broad spectrum of linguistic, cultural, and social diversity. While children in the state use their mother tongues or various local languages within their homes and communities, instruction in schools is typically conducted in Hindi or English," a statement from the chief minister's office said. "This linguistic gap should not hinder a child's comprehension, ability to express themselves, participation, or pace of learning during their early years of schooling. It is for this reason that a 'Jharkhand State Language Education Policy' is essential. The Chief Minister emphasized that Jharkhand's linguistic diversity is a core component of its rich cultural identity. By integrating this into the educational framework, a system can be developed that allows students to learn comfortably in their own languages, while also paving the way for new and innovative approaches in the field of education," it added. The Chief Minister underscored the need to provide students in the state with skill-based education. He stated that, alongside formal education, the interests, talents, and practical skills of students must also be fostered. Consideration should be given to including hockey within the framework of skill-based education. Children from Jharkhand-both boys and girls-have been consistently performing well in the field of hockey. Integrating hockey into skill-based education would provide them with better opportunities to hone their talent and progress further. The Chief Minister also emphasized the need to conduct spoken English classes for students. He noted that students often have to travel to various states across the country for higher education, employment, competitive examinations, and sports events. In such contexts, the confidence to speak and communicate in English would prove highly beneficial. He directed officials to ensure that adequate arrangements for spoken English training are in place before students complete the 12th grade, enabling them to become linguistically proficient and self-assured. This will create better opportunities for their future advancement....