What does NEP, 2020 state about languages?

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 4)

Topic: GS2 – Governance, GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context

Tamil Nadu’s resistance to the three-language policy under NEP 2020 reignites debates on language imposition, regional identity, and educational flexibility.

NEP 2020 on Language Instruction

• NEP 2020, which replaced the 1986 education policy, emphasizes the importance of mother tongue or regional languages in education.

• It states that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction in both public and private schools should be in the mother tongue, home language, or regional language until at least Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.

• Even after Grade 8, the local or home language should continue to be taught as a subject whenever possible.

• Research shows that children between the ages of two and eight learn best in their mother tongue, and multilingualism provides cognitive benefits.

• The policy encourages bilingualism, combining the mother tongue with English, to aid better comprehension and learning.

Implementation in Schools

• Some states have already implemented bilingual learning at the preschool level.

• For example, anganwadis in certain regions use textbooks with Hindi and English side by side, along with colorful imagery, to teach alphabets and numbers.

Findings of the AISES Survey on Language in Schools

• The eighth All India School Education Survey (AISES), conducted by a national institution, provides data on language instruction in schools.

• The survey found that the number of schools using the mother tongue as a medium of instruction has decreased over time.

• In 2002, about 92.07% of schools taught in the mother tongue at the primary stage, which dropped to 86.62% in 2009.

• The decline is noticeable in both urban and rural areas, highlighting a shift toward other languages in education.

Understanding the Three-Language Formula

• The three-language formula was first introduced in 1968, requiring Hindi-speaking states to learn Hindi, English, and a southern Indian language.

• Non-Hindi-speaking states were required to study Hindi, English, and their regional language.

• NEP 2020 modifies this formula, offering flexibility and ensuring that no language is imposed on any state.

• However, the policy encourages the study of Sanskrit and emphasizes classical languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit.

Steps to Promote Regional Languages

• NEP 2020 aims to make high-quality textbooks available in home languages to enhance learning.

• In 2024, digital books were released in 104 regional languages and dialects, including Bengali, Khandeshi, Tulu, Ladakhi, Pashto, Bhili, Dogri, Lahuli (Pattani), and Car Nicobarese.

• The responsibility of translating these materials into local languages is assigned to state-level education councils.

• Some states, such as Assam and Andhra Pradesh, have already introduced bilingual textbooks in science and mathematics, combining English with regional languages like Assamese, Bodo, Bengali, and Telugu.

Challenges in Implementation

• The three-language formula has faced implementation challenges in many states.

• For instance, some states attempted to introduce additional languages but later removed them due to a lack of qualified teachers.

• In certain regions, Tamil was once offered as a second language but was later discontinued due to the small number of Tamil-speaking students.

• Similarly, states like Himachal Pradesh have been unable to offer languages like Telugu and Tamil due to the absence of trained teachers.

Foreign Languages in NEP 2020

• NEP 2020 also promotes learning foreign languages such as Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian at the secondary school level.

• According to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), students must study two Indian languages until Class 10.

• In Classes 11 and 12, students have the option to study one Indian language and one foreign language to enhance their linguistic skills.

PYQ: National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient the education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020)

Practice Question: Examine the challenges in implementing the three-language formula under NEP 2020 and its implications for linguistic diversity and education in India. (250 Words /15 marks)