Syllabus: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
Context: Maharashtra three-language policy committee, chaired by Narendra Jadhav, will submit final report on December 20 after public consultations with students, experts, and activists in Mumbai.
Three-Language Formula
- Policy Framework for Multilingual Education
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- India has consistently promoted multilingual education through constitutional, policy and institutional measures.
- NEP 2020 marks a major shift by mandating that students learn three languages, of which two must be Indian languages, allowing flexibility in choice.
- This departs from NPE 1968, which prescribed Hindi, English and a regional language, and moves towards a culturally sensitive, federal approach.
- Government Initiatives to Strengthen Multilingualism
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- ASMITA Initiative: Targets production of 22,000 academic books in 22 scheduled languages, expanding access to learning material.
- Bahubhasha Shabdkosh: Develops a comprehensive multilingual dictionary repository to support vocabulary development.
- Real-time Translation Architecture: Led by NEFT and Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti to create technology for instant translation across Indian languages.
- Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme: Provides digital textbooks and learning material in multiple Indian languages.
- Bhashini Platform: An AI-driven language tool enabling seamless cross-language communication among Indian language speakers.
- Evolution of the Three-Language Formula
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- Article 351 assigns the Union the responsibility to promote Hindi.
- Kothari Commission (1964-66) introduced the three-language formula, later adopted in NPE 1968.
- NPE 1968 emphasised regional languages at school and university levels.
- Programme of Action 1992 encouraged mother tongue instruction in pre-school education.
- RTE Act 2009 recommended the mother tongue as the medium of instruction wherever possible.
- NEP 2020 builds on this legacy, advocating mother tongue/home language as the medium of teaching till Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8.
Advantages of the Three-Language Formula
- Access & Inclusion: Enhances reach for children from diverse linguistic backgrounds and increases parental participation.
- Improved Learning: Supports socio-emotional development, cognitive abilities and overall academic performance.
- Sustainable Development: Preserves cultural heritage, promotes social harmony and strengthens economic opportunities; e.g., Switzerland attributes 10% of its GDP to multilingualism.
- National Integration: Encourages inter-regional communication and reinforces unity in diversity.
Major Concerns and Criticisms
- Politicisation of Language: Language-related sentiments may trigger sons-of-the-soil tensions.
- Learning Burden: Students with weak literacy may struggle with mandatory third-language learning.
- Teacher Shortages: Lack of qualified instructors for second and third languages.
- Implementation Challenges: Linguistically diverse states—e.g., Nagaland—face resource constraints; Haryana struggled with introducing Tamil.
- Technological Alternatives: AI translation tools reduce the practical need for language proficiency.
Way Forward
- Prioritise Quality Education before adding additional language loads.
- Strengthen Centre–State coordination for smooth NEP implementation.
- Align with UNESCO’s multilingual education guidelines through:
- Data-driven planning
- Developing teaching-learning material in learners’ languages
- Training bilingual teachers
- Encouraging community and parental participation.