Mother Tongue and Multilingualism in Education

Young children learn most effectively through their mother tongue, a fact supported by research findings cited in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The policy emphasizes that children rapidly acquire languages between ages two and eight and aims to teach all languages in an engaging and interactive manner.

Challenges with Multilingual Education

• Promotion of Multilingualism:
  • The NEP lists promoting multilingualism as a fundamental principle, a focus area for the CBSE in affiliated schools.
  • However, this focus should extend beyond a single board to address the needs of children whose mother tongues are not represented in current educational materials or curricula.
• Teacher Availability and Training:
  • There is a dire need for regular, properly trained teachers who understand the socio-cultural contexts of their students.
  • The right teacher-student ratio is critical for effective learning.

Concerns and Realities

• Issues with Compulsory English Learning:
  • Past imposition of English learning without considering children's spoken languages led to higher dropout rates and poor performance.
• Current Educational System Challenges:
  • Nearly 9 lakh teaching positions in government schools remain vacant, affecting educational quality.
  • Justice J S Verma highlighted the issue of BEd colleges selling degrees instead of providing quality education.

Conclusion and Recommendations

• Focus on recruiting qualified teachers and ensuring functional schools should be prioritized over multilingualism.
• Equitable education must be provided to all, not just to a privileged section.
• Children should be allowed to learn in the language they are comfortable with, deciding on additional languages as they grow without being burdened by excessive regulations.