Paper: GS – II, Subject: Governance, Topic: Government Policies, Issue: Maharashtra Scraps Three-Language Policy.
Context:
The Maharashtra government has scrapped the proposed three-language policy for Classes 1 to 5 in State-run schools.
- This decision comes after two months of opposition by activists, educators, and political parties including the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which is part of the ruling alliance.
Key Takeaways:
The Three-Language Formula (TLF) Under NEP 2020:
- The Three-Language Formula (TLF) was first mooted by the Radhakrishnan Committee (1948-49) and later formally proposed by the Education Commission (1964-66), also known as the Kothari Commission.
- It was officially adopted in the National Policy on Education (NPE) 1968 and later reaffirmed in NPE 1986 and revised in 1992 to promote linguistic diversity and national unity.
Key Features of the Three-Language Formula:
- Emphasis on Mother Tongue: The policy prioritises education in the mother tongue or regional language, especially at the foundational stage, to enhance cognitive development & comprehension.
- Encouragement of Multilingualism: Students are encouraged to learn three languages, with flexibility in language selection to ensure accessibility.
- Promotion of National Integration: The formula fosters cross-cultural understanding, respect for linguistic diversity, and social cohesion by exposing students to diverse languages and cultures.
| Constitutional Provisions for Linguistic Diversity in India: Article 29: Safeguards the cultural and educational rights of linguistic minorities.Article 343: Declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union while allowing the use of English for official purposes. Article 346: Defines the official language for communication between states and the Union. Article 347: Empowers the President to recognise a language spoken by a substantial section of a state’s population. Article 350A: Ensures mother tongue-based education at the primary level for linguistic minorities. Article 350B: Provides for a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities to safeguard their interests. Article 351: Directs the Union to promote the development of Hindi while drawing upon other Indian languages. Eighth Schedule: Recognizes 22 official languages, ensuring their protection and promotion. |
Challenges and Implementation of the Three-Language Formula (TLF) in India:
Conclusion:
Although the immediate policy is scrapped, skepticism remains about the government’s long-term intentions. Activists and opposition parties are keeping a close watch on the Narendra Jadhav committee’s recommendations, fearing a reintroduction of the policy in another form.
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