News Highlight
Over the years, there has been a raging debate over the need for children to have their mother tongue as the medium of instruction in schools.
Key Takeaway
- The National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 says the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language, wherever possible, should be the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5.
The argument for English is the medium of instruction.
- It may help to acquire vast knowledge:
- English medium education is a profound tragedy in Indian education today.
- Millions are weakening because of their inability to learn English—not as a language but as a medium through which they acquire any knowledge of any subject.
- Career:
- The ability to speak English qualifies one for many jobs which are not yet available for speakers of regional languages.
- In the globalised world, English is one of the tools to connect a global career.
- Higher Education:
- Most technical and scientific books are available in English and are used extensively in higher education.
- Hence, to better understand these materials, English is inevitable.
- Global Opportunities:
- Since English is the universal language, students have the chance to compete on a global scale.
Arguments against English as a Medium of Instruction
- Accessibility to Knowledge:
- When mother tongues or regional languages are used, students find the learning process more comfortable, understandable, and approachable. Students are encouraged to participate fully in the learning process, increasing their confidence.
- Promotion of Local Culture:
- Students can explain their experiences, multidimensional identities, and cultural heritage more effectively by speaking in their mother tongue.
- Encouragement to Merit:
- The usage of English often causes a divide between pupils from underprivileged castes and communities and those from the “upper” class. Sometimes natural talent and merit get suppressed due to an imposed linguistic disability.
- Fundamental Rights:
- Under Article 29 (1) of the Indian constitution, any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script, or culture of their own shall have the right to conserve the same.
- Inclusion:
- It will help with social inclusion, improving literacy rates, a reduction in poverty and international cooperation. Language can become a catalyst for inclusive development. Removing the existing linguistic barriers will help realise the goal of inclusive governance.
Initiatives to Promote Regional Languages:
- The New Education Policy 2020:
- The recently announced New Education Policy states that students up to Class 5 in schools should be taught in their mother tongue/regional language/local language wherever possible.
- It also introduced the Three-Language Formula for primary education, per the Kothari Commission’s recommendation in 1968.
- The National Translation Mission (NTM):
- The NTM is being implemented through the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Mysore, under which the textbooks of various subjects prescribed in universities and colleges are being translated into all the languages of the Eighth Schedule.
- The University Grants Commission (UGC):
- The UGC promotes regional languages in higher education courses in the country and supports nine central universities under the “Establishment of Centre for Endangered Languages in Central Universities” scheme.
- Namath Basai:
- It is an initiative, Namath Basai, by the Kerala State Government that has proved to be very beneficial in educating children from tribal areas by adopting vernacular languages as a medium of instruction.
- The International Year of Indigenous Languages:
- The United Nations General Assembly has proclaimed 2019 as the International Year of Indigenous Languages (IYIL).
- The IYIL 2019 strives to preserve, support, and promote indigenous languages at the national, regional, and international levels.
Content Source: The Hindu