What does NEP, 2020 state about languages?, Pg 8

Medium of Instruction in Schools

• NEP 2020 mandates that the medium of instruction till at least Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8, should be in the mother tongue, home language, or regional language.
• The goal is to enhance cognitive development and conceptual clarity in children.
• Multilingualism (including bilingual teaching) is encouraged from the Foundational Stage.

Three-Language Formula

• The policy deviates from the 1986 education model, which emphasized Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language.
• States have flexibility to implement the formula based on local needs, but Tamil Nadu has resisted it due to long-standing opposition.

Survey Findings on Language Use

• Eighth All India School Education Survey (NCERT):
  • 92.39% rural schools use mother tongue as a medium of instruction.
  • Urban-rural gap exists; in urban schools, English is more widely used.

Challenges in Implementation

• Textbooks & Digital Learning:
  • NCERT launched bilingual textbooks, and digital books in 100 regional languages are planned by 2024.
• Resistance in States:
  • Tamil Nadu removed Hindi from schools in 2010.
  • Himachal Pradesh faced teacher shortages for Telugu and Tamil subjects.

Other Language Provisions

• Classical languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Kannada, Odia, and Persian will be promoted.
• Foreign languages like Korean, Japanese, French, and Russian can be learned at the secondary level.

Analysis & Way Forward

• Effective teacher training and resource allocation are needed for regional language education.
• The flexibility given to states should balance national unity with linguistic diversity.
• Improved bilingual resources can help smoothen the transition to higher education.

Mains Mock Question:

"Evaluate the impact of the three-language formula under NEP 2020. How can India balance linguistic diversity with educational standardization?"