NEP 2020: Instructions in mother tongue may help learners grasp better
Hemangi Joshi, convener of the Maharashtra RTE ForumWith concerns around the introduction of mother tongue as medium of instruction in schools in New Education Policy, Hemangi Joshi, convener of the Maharashtra RTE Forum and who works in the area of promotion of mother tongue based literacy, tries to clear the air around the topic with Swati Shinde Gole. Excerpts :
1) Could you please explain to us about the mother tongue policy?
The policy says that wherever possible the medium of instruction until at least grade 5 but preferably till grade 8 and beyond will be the home language or mother tongue, local or regional language. Thereafter the home/ local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. This means that teaching should be done in the child's mother tongue. This will be followed by both public and private schools. In a way, the policy has recognised the very fact that unless the gap in the language of the child and that of the teacher / education is not taken into consideration, it's just difficult to universalise literacy and education. It also recognises that the medium of instruction in school should be congruent with a child's medium of thinking.
2) What are the benefits, pros and cons of this mother tongue policy?
If the policy is implemented in letter and spirit, there are chances that we can become a knowledge society as envisioned by the policy. Diversity in languages and thereby in cultures and knowledge systems is a rich resource of the country. Chances of becoming India as Vishva Guru as mentioned in the policy are very high if this rich resource is respected and promoted. Implementation of the policy requires the clarity and conviction on the part of the social and political leaders. Strong politics will only pave the way for implementation of the policy.
3) There are many opinions, debates on this policy, how do you see it's implementation?
There is always a debate as to why marginalised societies are being Kept poor by promoting vernacular languages as a medium of instruction. On the contrary, educationists and language activists take a stand that in order to take out a large section of the community from poverty, education must be provided in their own language.
1) Could you please explain to us about the mother tongue policy?
The policy says that wherever possible the medium of instruction until at least grade 5 but preferably till grade 8 and beyond will be the home language or mother tongue, local or regional language. Thereafter the home/ local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. This means that teaching should be done in the child's mother tongue. This will be followed by both public and private schools. In a way, the policy has recognised the very fact that unless the gap in the language of the child and that of the teacher / education is not taken into consideration, it's just difficult to universalise literacy and education. It also recognises that the medium of instruction in school should be congruent with a child's medium of thinking.
2) What are the benefits, pros and cons of this mother tongue policy?
If the policy is implemented in letter and spirit, there are chances that we can become a knowledge society as envisioned by the policy. Diversity in languages and thereby in cultures and knowledge systems is a rich resource of the country. Chances of becoming India as Vishva Guru as mentioned in the policy are very high if this rich resource is respected and promoted. Implementation of the policy requires the clarity and conviction on the part of the social and political leaders. Strong politics will only pave the way for implementation of the policy.
3) There are many opinions, debates on this policy, how do you see it's implementation?
There is always a debate as to why marginalised societies are being Kept poor by promoting vernacular languages as a medium of instruction. On the contrary, educationists and language activists take a stand that in order to take out a large section of the community from poverty, education must be provided in their own language.
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