Private schools' association demands inclusion of Shibu Soren’s biography in Jharkhand's curriculum

Ranchi, Aug 7 (PTI) The private schools apex body PASWA on Thursday demanded inclusion of the biography of veteran tribal leader and former Jharkhand Chief Minister Shibu Soren in the state’s school curriculum.
    Private Schools and Children Welfare Association (PASWA) national president Alok Kumar Dubey said that the life and struggles of tribal icon Shibu Soren are a source of inspiration for future generations and must be made an essential part of value-based education in Jharkhand.
    Soren, fondly called 'Dishom Guru' (leader of the land), died on August 4 at the age of 81 in a Delhi hospital while undergoing treatment for kidney-related ailments.
    The founding father of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and a towering figure in the state's tribal movement was accorded a farewell with a gun salute from Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) personnel as his last rites were performed with full state honours amid tight security on August 5.
    "Every child in Jharkhand has the right to learn about the leader who played a pivotal role in the state's creation and shaping its political identity. Shibu Soren’s life represents sacrifice, struggle, and the relentless pursuit of social justice, and that students across all educational levels should be exposed to his contributions through structured curriculum modules," Dubey said.
    He said a PASWA delegation will soon meet Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Education Minister Sudivya Kumar to formally present a proposal and hold serious discussions on the matter.
    The organisation has also initiated grassroot efforts to spread awareness about Shibu Soren’s legacy, he said adding that PASWA’s State General Secretary, Neeraj Kumar, has been visiting schools across the state, providing detailed information to students about Soren’s early life, tribal rights movements, leadership in the Jharkhand movement, and his tenure as an MP and the chief minister.
    PASWA has recommended a phased and class-wise inclusion of the biography in school syllabi, Dubey said.
    For primary classes, the proposal suggests incorporating inspirational stories from Soren’s life, while at the secondary level, students would study his role in tribal society and political awakening.
    "For higher levels, the focus would be on the history of the Jharkhand movement, the concept of social justice, and his political ideology," Dubey asserted.
    In addition to curriculum content, PASWA has proposed various academic and co-curricular activities, including essay and debate competitions, quizzes, poster-making events, and the use of documentaries and educational videos.
    The organisation has also suggested observing a “Jharkhand Icons Week” in schools to honour local leaders.
    Dubey has appealed to the Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC) to adopt the proposed material in the official syllabus from the next academic session.
    According to him, this initiative is not merely about textbook changes but a broader campaign to connect students with their heritage, foster leadership qualities, and build a socially aware generation.
    Dubey said that this effort by PASWA aims to bridge the gap between history and education.
    “This is a campaign to connect children to their roots, their land, and the struggles that shaped their identity. It is true nation-building,” he said.
    Born on January 11, 1944, Shibu Soren was one of the most powerful political figures in the country's tribal and regional political landscape. His political life was defined by continuous advocacy for the rights of tribals.
    According to Soren's family, his early life was marked by personal tragedy and deep socio-economic struggles.
    Soren was 15 years old when his father, Shobaran Soren, was allegedly killed by moneylenders in Lukaiyatand forest near Gola block headquarters on November 27, 1957. This left a deep impact on him and became a catalyst for his future political activism.
    In 1973, Soren co-founded the JMM along with Bengali Marxist trade unionist A K Roy and Kurmi-Mahto leader Binod Bihari Mahto during a public meeting at Golf Ground, Dhanbad.
    The JMM soon became the primary political voice for the demand for a separate tribal state and got support across the Chotanagpur and Santhal Pargana regions. Soren's grassroots mobilisation against feudal exploitation is said to have shaped him into a tribal icon.

    After decades of agitation, steered by him and others, the demand for a separate state was finally fulfilled with the formation of Jharkhand on November 15, 2000.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)