Orientation Programme and Language Preferences
The orientation programme highlighted CBSE guidelines influenced by NEP 2020. Parents expressed the desire for schools to offer foreign languages like French, German, and Spanish instead of Hindi for Class X and above, driven by:
- Difficulty in scoring high marks in Hindi.
- Increased employability with proficiency in foreign languages.
Mother Tongue Education and Challenges
The CBSE's directive aligns with NEP 2020 goals of teaching in the mother tongue at the primary level, yet presents challenges:
- Determining the preferred language in linguistically diverse areas like Delhi.
- Recruiting teachers and developing infrastructure based on varied linguistic needs.
- Financial implications for additional resources.
A thorough assessment could aid in understanding student needs and training teachers effectively. Non-metropolitan schools might struggle more due to limited resources.
Dominance of English in Education
English dominates knowledge production in India, notably in technical, medical, and scientific fields. Efforts to teach engineering in Hindi were unsuccessful, with textbooks still containing many English terms.
The Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysore oversees translation efforts, but CBSE's reliance on English terms in translated textbooks raises concerns over their effectiveness.
Multilingual Households and Policy Implications
Many Indian families are multilingual, complicating the choice of a singular mother tongue for education. Transferable jobs and migration add to the complexity. Studies show multilingual proficiency outside North India, where Hindi predominates due to limited teacher recruitment and textbook availability.
Supreme Court and NEP 2020
The Supreme Court noted that states are not mandated to implement NEP 2020, questioning the CBSE circular's future. Parental preferences for foreign languages reflect a gap in CBSE's understanding of stakeholder needs and aspirations.
