Language lessons, pg 8

Key Highlights:

• Tamil Nadu continues with its long-standing two-language formula — Tamil and English — as reaffirmed in its State Education Policy (SEP).
• Tamil Nadu’s SEP makes Tamil compulsory up to Class 10 across all boards and integrates critical thinking, digital literacy, climate education, social justice, and the STEAM approach.
• Karnataka will discontinue the three-language policy and adopt a two-language model based on an expert commission’s recommendations.
• In Karnataka, Kannada or the mother tongue will be the medium of instruction up to Class 5, preferably extended to Class 12; Kannada/mother tongue and English will be compulsory.
• This replaces the current model that included Hindi as a compulsory third language in Karnataka.
• Karnataka’s commission also recommended a state-specific curriculum, bilingual teaching methods, and reduced dependence on NCERT textbooks.

Detailed Insights:

• Policy Divergence from NEP 2020:
  • NEP’s three-language formula recommends two Indian languages + English for multilingualism and national integration.
  • Tamil Nadu and Karnataka invoke their constitutional authority under the State List to frame independent language policies.
  • Both argue that local language + English ensures cultural preservation, linguistic pride, and global competitiveness without perceived Hindi dominance.
• Medium of Instruction:
  • Karnataka’s policy makes Kannada or the mother tongue the medium till Class 5, with preference to continue till Class 12.
  • Supported by NCERT learning studies and UNESCO research, showing better comprehension, retention, and conceptual clarity in early learning when taught in the first language.
• Inclusion Goals:
  • Tamil Nadu’s SEP links language choice to educational equity.
  • Specific focus on tribal communities, first-generation learners, and children with disabilities.
  • Language policy is integrated with schemes to enhance social mobility and bridge learning gaps.
• Political Context:
  • Language remains a sensitive federal subject in India’s polity.
  • In southern states, the NEP’s third-language clause is perceived as a vehicle for Hindi imposition.
  • Tamil Nadu’s anti-Hindi agitations in the 20th century continue to influence its educational and political stance today.

Concepts Involved:

• Two-Language Policy: Educational framework with one regional language and English.
• Three-Language Policy: NEP 2020 recommendation for two Indian languages (including Hindi/another Indian language) plus English.
• Mother Tongue Instruction: Pedagogical practice of teaching in the learner’s first language, especially in primary years.
• STEAM Education: Integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics into learning.