Language row in NEP:Put stress on mother tongue and English

The opposition of language policy in New Education Policy( NEP)-2020 by  DMK’s government in TN has a strong merit.The overemphasis of Hindi and Sanskrit in proposed three-language policy, and withdrawal of English from primary level, in National Education policy 2020 will be impacting over non-Hindi speaking states.

The language burden will be more on students of these states and additional burden on students of linguistic and religious minorities such as STs and Muslims in multilingual states like Odisha.  The lowering of English will have several ramifications over participation in governance, access to higher education and scope of employment.

 The NEP -2020 approved by the cabinet of Govt. of India has been opposed from many quarters based on language policy especially by non-Hindi speaking states and others concerned for education of the linguistic minorities mostly the marginalized sections. Along with language policy, there are also many connected issues such as privatization of education and limiting the scope of states in education policy formulation, although education is in the concurrent list. However, the selection of language is most important in the medium of education.

The NEP says that wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least grade-5 but preferable till grade -8 and beyond, shall be the mother tongue /local language /regional language. It is also said that the three language formula will continue to be implemented and the Sanskrit knowledge system will be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option in the three language formula.

There is nothing wrong in learning as many languages as possible and the mother tongue is always good for a child to learn as its first lessons, as suggested by many. But at the same time, there must be a purpose of learning languages and its usefulness in our life to get access to the scope of knowledge and dignified meaningful employment. Glorifying the past, mother tongue and ancient classical language may not serve the current purpose of building a rational knowledge society without access to available global knowledge which is not possible without English.

The recent trend in India shows an increase in learning towards English medium education and many states have already adopted English as the medium of instruction from primary level. Nowadays the common people in both urban and rural areas prefer to send their children to English medium schools for a better future and a dignified life using the English language as a gateway to opportunities globally. It is now fundamentally necessary for higher education, science, technology, engineering, IT, law, medicine, business, and governance.

In line with this since independence, many of the union Govt. education programme have established English medium school such as Navodaya, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya, Eklavya model school  to cater the needs which have also created scope for rural poor from different social groups to access quality English medium education because they cannot pay the higher amount of school fee charged by private schools indirectly reserved for the children of upper class. The Govt. Running English medium schools has been contributing to reducing inequality and exclusion while reducing regional disparity and promoting nation-building activities by preparing students of diverse backgrounds from different parts of the country.