What does the National Education Policy 2020 say about the medium of instruction in schools?भाषाओं पर राष्ट्रीय शिक्षा नीति (NEP) 2020 की मुख्य विशेषताएं

Key Highlights of NEP 2020 on Languages:

1. Medium of Instruction:

• The medium of instruction, wherever possible, should be in the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language:
  • Until Grade 5 (compulsory).
  • Preferably till Grade 8 and beyond.
• Home or local language to continue as a subject wherever possible in higher grades.

2. Benefits of Multilingualism:

• Research indicates:
  • Children between the ages of 2-8 pick up languages quickly.
  • Multilingualism enhances cognitive abilities.
• Bilingual education (mother tongue along with English) is encouraged.

3. Findings of the 8th All India School Education Survey (AISES):

• Decline in mother tongue as a medium of instruction:
  • 2009: 86.62% schools (primary stage).
  • 2002: 92.07% schools (primary stage).
• Urban-Rural Divide:
  • Rural areas (2009): 87.56%.
  • Urban areas (2009): 80.99%.

4. Three-Language Formula:

• 1968 Policy:
  • Hindi-speaking States: Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably southern).
  • Non-Hindi-speaking States: Hindi, English, and a regional language.
• NEP 2020 Updates:
  • Greater flexibility; no language imposed on any State.
  • Encourages Sanskrit and classical languages (Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Persian, Prakrit).
  • High-quality textbooks in mother tongues to be made available.

5. Implementation Challenges:

• Tamil Nadu has resisted the three-language policy.
• Lack of Tamil, Telugu teachers in some States like Himachal Pradesh.
• Instances of removing Tamil as a language option (e.g., Haryana in 2010).

6. Digital and Bilingual Textbooks:

• NCERT released textbooks in 104 regional languages in 2024.
• States like Assam and Andhra Pradesh have introduced bilingual textbooks for Science and Mathematics in multiple languages.

7. Foreign Languages:

• Secondary-level offerings include:
  • Languages: Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, etc.
  • CBSE Plan:
    • Classes 1-10: Two Indian languages.
    • Classes 11-12: One Indian language and one foreign language option.

8. Summary of Key Points:

• NEP 2020 promotes mother tongue/local language as the medium of instruction till Grade 5 or beyond.
• The three-language formula allows flexibility but faces implementation challenges.
• Digital and bilingual materials are being introduced to support local language education.
• Foreign languages are included in secondary education for global exposure.