Education policy lays emphasis on learning in mother tongue

NEW DELHI: The New Education Policy approved by the Centre on Wednesday puts a focus on students’ mother tongue as the medium of instruction even as it sticks to the ‘three language formula’ while emphasizing that no language would be imposed on anyone.

The policy document states that since children learn and grasp non-trivial concepts more quickly in their home language, which is often the mother tongue, it should preferably be the medium of instruction.

“Wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language, mother tongue, local language or the regional language. Thereafter, the home or local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. This will be followed by both public and private schools,” the policy states.

This, however, led to a question on the existence of thousands of English-medium schools that operate across the country. Many of these impart high-quality education and are leading institutions in their particular regions.

When contacted, a senior HRD ministry official said the policy does not aim to impose any language at anyone.

“Even with regard to instruction in mother tongue, the policy document emphasizes wherever possible. There is no question of imposing anything.

Moreover, it is for the state governments to take decisions in this regard according to requirements of the students,” the official said, asking not to be named.

Language is a sensitive area as far as the education policy is concerned.

Previously, the draft policy submitted by the panel headed by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan

to the HRD ministry suggested a bigger focus on Hindi as a teaching medium, a suggestion that triggered a controversy with criticism pouring in from southern states.