The draft National Education Policy, 2019, developed by a team led by Dr. Kasturirangan, a renowned scientist, advocates the utilisation of a three-language formula. The proposed directive for education suggests this linquistic methodology be implemented at the primary level.
The Three-Language Formula
This approach towards language education has a tripartite structure, and the languages selected depend on the regional idiosyncrasies and the mother tongue of the learners.
The first language to be taught would be the mother tongue or local language. The second language would vary based on the state’s primary spoken language. In Hindi-speaking states, the second language could be another modern Indian language or English. A non-Hindi speaking state would introduce English or Hindi as the second language. The third language, much like the second, would be either English or an alternative modern Indian language, with the choice dependent on whether the state is majorly Hindi-speaking or not.
The Rationale Behind the Three-Language Formula
According to the committee’s report, language learning plays a crucial role in a child’s cognitive development. The primary objective of this method is to encourage multilingualism and foster national unity.
Hindrances to Realising the Three-Language Directive
Certain states have voiced opposition to the three-language policy. Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Tripura have been averse to implementing Hindi teaching, while Hindi-speaking states have omitted South Indian languages from their academic curriculum. A significant impediment to realising this policy is the lack of adequate resources allocated by state governments. Resource scarcity emerges as a substantial aspect of this challenge.
Constitutional Provisions Relating to Language Education
Several articles in the Constitution of India directly address issues related to languages. For instance, Article 29 protects minorities’ rights, including the preservation of their distinct languages and culture. Article 343 establishes Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of India, with numerals adhering to the international form of Indian numerals.
| Article Number | Description |
|---|---|
| 346 | Specifies the authorised language for communication between states and between state and Union. |
| 347 | Empowers the President to recognise a language as an official language of a given state. |
| 350A | Provides for instruction in mother-tongue at the primary level. |
| 350B | Provides for a Special Officer for linguistic minorities who reports directly to the President. |
| 351 | Gives power to the union government to promote the development of the Hindi language. |
The Eighth Schedule and Its Significance
The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution lists 22 languages that are recognised as scheduled languages. These constitutional provisions collectively make it clear that the Indian constitution grants significant importance to the conservation and propagation of India’s linguistic diversity.
