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Three-language Policy Under NEP 2020

Last updated on March 5th, 2025 Posted on February 24, 2025 by NEXT IAS Current Affairs Team  1716

Syllabus: GS2/Polity and Governance

Context

  • The Centre has withheld funds to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha scheme due to the state’s refusal to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020) and its three-language formula.
    • Tamil Nadu follows a two-language policy (Tamil and English) and has consistently opposed the introduction of Hindi, viewing it as a threat to its linguistic identity.

What is the Three Language Formula?

  • NEP 1968 made Hindi compulsory across the nation, with specific language requirements for states.
    • Hindi-speaking states were to teach Hindi, English, and a modern Indian language (preferably a South Indian language).
    • Non-Hindi-speaking states were expected to teach local language, Hindi, and English.
  • NEP 2020 retains the three-language formula, introduced in the NEP of 1968.
    • States, regions, and students can choose the three languages, as long as at least two are native to India.
    • In addition to the state language, children must learn one other Indian language (not necessarily Hindi).
    • Emphasizes bilingual teaching, focusing on the home language/mother tongue and English.
    • Sanskrit is given special emphasis as an optional choice in the three-language formula.

Significance of the Three-Language Formula

  • Enhances Multilingual Proficiency: Encourages students to learn multiple languages, improving cognitive skills and communication.
  • National Integration and Cultural Exchange: Helps bridge the north-south linguistic divide by promoting Hindi in non-Hindi states and regional languages in Hindi-speaking states.
  • Increased Employment and Mobility Opportunities: Knowledge of multiple languages expands career prospects and makes migration for jobs and higher education easier across different states.
  • Strengthens Regional Languages: Ensure that regional languages continue to be actively used and preserved.

What are the Concerns?

  • Perceived Imposition of Hindi: Non-Hindi-speaking states, especially Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Karnataka, oppose it as an attempt to impose Hindi.
  • Practical Implementation Challenges: Many schools lack qualified teachers for teaching additional languages.
  • Burden on Students: Learning an additional language may increase the academic load, particularly for students who struggle with language acquisition.
  • Potential Neglect of Foreign Languages: Some argue that instead of a third Indian language, students should be encouraged to learn global languages like French, German, or Mandarin to improve international opportunities.

Way Ahead

  • Constructive dialogue and a practical compromise between the Centre and State is the way forward.
  • Education was transferred to the concurrent list during the Emergency, making it a shared responsibility.
  • Disagreements over the third language should not hinder funding for Samagra Shiksha, a key education program.
PM SHRI scheme
– Aim: The scheme aims to turn existing government schools into model schools.
1. The scheme is for existing elementary, secondary, and senior secondary schools run by the central government and state and local governments around the country.
– Funding: It is a Centrally sponsored scheme for the period of five years from 2022-23 to 2026-27 for transforming nearly 14,500 schools across the country.
Samagra Siksha Abhiyan (SSA)
– The scheme extends from pre-school to class XII and aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education at all levels of school education. 
– The Scheme subsumes the three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). 
– The major objectives of the Scheme are:
1. Support States and UTs in implementing the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020); 
2. Support States in implementation of Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009; 
3. Emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy; 
4. Strengthening and up-gradation of State Councils for Educational Research and Training (SCERTs)/State Institutes of Education and District Institutes for Education and Training (DIET) as nodal agency for teacher training;
5. Promoting vocational  education. 
– Under the Scheme, financial assistance is provided to all the States and UTs for undertaking above activities.

Source: TH

 
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