3 Language Formula under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

by Sonali Sinha

Three Language Formula under National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

With the introduction of the three language formula (NEP 2020) in the Indian Education system , the whole nation and some political parties are stirred. While some are opposing it, on the other hand, some are referring to it as a great move towards the propagation of the regional or a national language. The three-language policy in education accentuated the use of a national language or a regional language as a medium of instruction till Class 5 of the child. The policy calls for schools to provide the option of studying language policies in education at the school level out of which two will be indigenous languages. 

A Brief History of Language(language policies in education) Politics in India

The propagation and promotion of language policies in education has been a very contentious issue in India since its independence. The Constitution of India made Hindi the official language. It also provided that the practice of the English language would continue for the next 15 years and after that, at the discretion of the Parliament, a law would be enacted for the continuous use of the English language for certain official purposes.

But when these initial 15 years were about to end, protests broke out in Southern parts of India and they were at conflict with the formation of new states based on linguistic measures. The government passed the Official Language Act, 1963 in consideration with ongoing protests which provided for the continuous use of English language along with the Hindi language. In 1967 the act was amended and the English language was made compulsory in certain areas. By that time, the reorganization of the state was complete and the Constitution gave the State legislature the discretion to choose any one language or more languages spoken in states or/and Hindi as the official language.

The Constitution, however, provides for the monitoring of the progressive use of the Hindi Language. For this, a commission has been appointed by the government every 5 and 10 years respectively, which gives its recommendation on the issue. To examine these recommendations a parliamentary committee is constituted that submits its report to the President.

Three language policies in education:

The three-language formula in nep 2020 is not new to the Indian context. It had been introduced in 1968 during the regime of Smt Indira Gandhi and was incorporated in the language policies in education at that time. There was, however, no such uniform teaching structure. The North followed Hindi as their medium of instruction but the other parts had English or their regional languages as the medium of instruction. This brought in unprecedented chaos and hindrances in inter-state communication. Therefore, in order to avoid these conflicts, the three language formula NEP 2020 was introduced. 

What does National Education Policy Language on three- Language formula talks about:

The national education policy language formula brings with it a novel concept of early implementation of the three-language formula in NEP 2020 with the view to promote multilingualism and national unity. As per the national education policy language, it is up to the state to decide which is the language of their choice.

The NEP 2020 language policy(national education policy language) in education provides fluidity to the three-language formula in NEP 2020 as there is no specific language that shall be imposed on any state. The states, regions, and the students as well, are free to choose the three languages which the students want to learn whereas at least two of them are to be native to India. However, the students can change one or more of the three languages which he or she is studying. They may do so in Grade 6 or 7 as long as they are able to learn the basic proficiency of the three languages by the end of secondary school. 

The three-language formula in NEP 2020 further states about the medium of instruction and says that the medium of instruction will be the home or local or regional language or mother tongue until at least Grade 5 but It may prefer till 8 Grade and beyond. This will be mandatory for both private as well as government schools.

Criticism of three language formula NEP 2020 in relation to language:

1. The additional burden to the students at an early age: Irrespective of the former policy, the new policy has introduced the three national education policy language(language policies in education) at the initial stage. So it is being criticized on the grounds that it will put an additional mental burden on the young students to learn different languages.

2. Back Door Entry for Hindi: The state of Tamil Nadu has two language systems. The introduction of the new policy creates a fear among them that this would lead to the entrance of Hindi into the state from the back door. Therefore, the state of Tamil Nadu has opposed the new education policy on the abovementioned grounds.

3. Non-Hindi Teachers Shortage: Various linguists and educationists have observed that there is a huge scarcity of Non-Hindi language teachers throughout the country and it will eventually lead the students to learn Hindi only because of this shortage.

The Criticism is Valid: 

Because of this necessity, people in the state of Tamil Nadu have picked up Hindi to deal with the migrant population who are engaged in the labour work or similar kind of work and therefore teaching the same in the schools. It is contended that the state of Tamil Nadu is restricting or limiting the opportunity of the students to learn Hindi though the new education policy does not expressly mention anywhere that the third language should be Hindi as per the language policies in education. So, it is entirely the choice of students whether they want to learn Hindi or any other language. Therefore, this means the students, besides learning English and Tamil, shall have to learn any one of the Indian languages. 

Conclusion:

Language policies in education are the most vital part of our education system that plays a key role in strengthening the societal fabric as a whole. It plays an important role in imparting education to the children. There are more than 2500 languages in India which are being spoken in different regions across the country. However, due to the existing federal structure and diversity in language, no local or regional languages have given importance or supremacy over other languages in India. Further, the national education policy language has come up with the three-language formula in NEP 2020 in our education system and gives a ray of hope to further advancement in our education system by removing social disparity.Although, to overcome the problem of teaching faculty under NEP, national education policy language should be provided for training purposes. The three language formula in NEP 2020 has introduced with the aim of giving equal opportunity to all the states for the betterment of their minorities as well as others.