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Tamil Nadu’s Resistance to the Three-Language Policy
Context:
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has reignited the long-standing debate on language instruction, particularly in Tamil Nadu, which has strongly opposed the mandated three-language policy. The state’s resistance highlights concerns over language imposition and the preservation of linguistic identity.
NEP 2020 and Language Instruction
- Replaced Earlier Policy: Formulated after five years of consultations, NEP 2020 replaced the previous 1986 education policy.
- Home Language: It emphasises that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction in both public and private schools should be the home language, mother tongue, local, or regional language until at least Grade 5, preferably extending to Grade 8 and beyond.
- However, the home or local language should continue to be taught as a language beyond this stage wherever feasible.
- Benefits: The policy, spearheaded by former Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman K. Kasturirangan, underscores the cognitive benefits of multilingualism.
- Research cited in NEP 2020 suggests that children between the ages of two and eight acquire languages rapidly, making early exposure to multiple languages advantageous.
- The policy promotes bilingualism, advocating for the integration of the mother tongue alongside English in early education.
- For example, in Haryana, pre-school educators in anganwadis use bilingual study materials featuring both Hindi and English to teach alphabets and numbers with colorful illustrations.
Findings of the AISES on Language Instruction
- AISES: The eighth All India School Education Survey (AISES), conducted by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), is the latest comprehensive study on the medium of instruction in schools.
- Decline in Mother Tongue: It reveals a decline in the number of schools using the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction over time.
- Between the seventh (2002) and eighth (2009) surveys, this number dropped from 92.07% to 86.62% at the primary level.
- Divide: The survey also highlights an urban-rural divide.
- In rural areas, the proportion of schools teaching in the mother tongue decreased from 92.39% in the seventh survey to 87.56% in the eighth.
- Similarly, in urban areas, the figure declined from 90.39% to 80.99%.
- These findings suggest a shift toward other languages, particularly English, as the preferred medium of instruction.
Three-Language Formula
- The three-language formula proposed in NEP 2020 represents a significant departure from earlier policies, particularly the 1968 education policy.
- Previously, Hindi-speaking states were required to teach Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably from the South), while non-Hindi-speaking states had to teach Hindi, English, and a regional language.
- In contrast, NEP 2020 claims to provide greater flexibility, ensuring no language is imposed on any state. However, it does encourage certain languages.
- The policy document dedicates a section to the promotion of Sanskrit, advocating for its inclusion as an option within the three-language framework.
- Additionally, it highlights the importance of classical languages such as Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Persian, and Prakrit, ensuring their availability as options for students.
- To support mother tongue-based education, NEP 2020 emphasises the need for high-quality textbooks in local languages, including subjects like science.
- In response, NCERT has released digital books in 104 regional languages and dialects, such as Bengali, Tulu, Ladakhi, Pashto, Bhili, and Dogri.
- State Councils of Educational Research and Training (SCERTs) are responsible for translating these materials into their respective languages.
- Some states have begun implementing bilingual textbooks in line with NEP guidelines.
- Assam introduced bilingual textbooks for Science and Mathematics in English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali, while Andhra Pradesh rolled out similar textbooks in Telugu and English in 2023.
- However, the practical implementation of the three-language policy has faced challenges.
- For instance, Tamil was designated as the second language in Haryana in 1969 but was removed in 2010 due to a lack of Tamil-speaking students.
- Similarly, Himachal Pradesh has struggled to offer Telugu and Tamil as language options due to a shortage of qualified teachers.
Inclusion of Foreign Languages
- NEP 2020 also emphasises the inclusion of foreign languages at the secondary level.
- Languages such as Korean, Japanese, Thai, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, and Russian will be available for students.
- As per the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) plan, students are expected to learn two Indian languages until Class 10.
- In Classes 11 and 12, they may opt for one Indian language and one foreign language.
