Education in the mother tongue: The case of Nepalbhasa (Newari)

Nepalbhasa (Newari) is a rich and highly developed language with a vast literature both in ancient and modern times. Numerous literary organisations exist in different towns and villages of the Kathmandu Valley and outside the Valley. To top it all, Nepalbhasa Academy was established in 1992 in Kathmandu. The Newars have also been in the forefront of the campaign for education in the mother tongue, long before the new constitution of 1990 granted that right. That itself is not a matter of great surprise, because Newari, once the state language of Nepal had been suppressed since the Rana reign (1847-1951). This paper examines the Newari language and focuses on education in the language.