UGC’s Circular Mandating the Teaching of a Third Language in Higher Education

Syllabus: GS 2/Governance 

In News

• The Tamil Nadu government strongly opposed the UGC’s circular mandating the teaching of a third language in higher education.

Background 

• The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 retains the three-language formula introduced in 1968 but offers more flexibility. 
• Unlike the earlier policy, it does not make Hindi compulsory. Children will learn three languages chosen by the State, region, and themselves, with at least two being Indian languages.
• The policy emphasizes bilingual instruction in the mother tongue/home language and English, and highlights Sanskrit as an optional language choice.

 Objectives 

• It aims to encourage students to learn beyond English and their mother tongue, fostering linguistic diversity.
• The UGC aims to bridge cultural and regional divides by introducing a third language. Multilingual skills are seen as an asset in globalized workplaces.
• The NEP advocates for a three-language formula to nurture cognitive flexibility and cultural awareness.

Issues and Challenges

• States like Tamil Nadu, which follow a two-language policy, view the circular as an attempt to impose Hindi, sparking political and cultural resistance.
• Many universities lack qualified faculty and infrastructure to introduce additional language courses.
• Adding a third language may increase academic load, especially in professional courses.
• Students from marginalized backgrounds may struggle with access to quality language instruction.
• Critics argue that mandating language learning infringes on the academic autonomy of states and institutions.

Conclusion and Way Forward 

• The UGC’s circular aims to create a multilingual, culturally integrated higher education system, but its success depends on flexible implementation, respect for regional language policies, and adequate resources. 
• A balanced, adaptable approach is essential to avoid deepening linguistic divides and to achieve the NEP’s vision of inclusive, holistic education.

Source :TH