The Importance of Mother Tongue In Education

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

-Nelson Mandela

A Leap Of Faith In Education Sector

A historic milestone was achieved when as many as 14 engineering colleges in eight states of India decided to offer courses in regional languages. This revolutionary step is going to change the education landscape of our country. Finally, it appears as if we have found the missing link.

On the first anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP), PM Narendra Modi hailed the move of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) of introducing B. Tech programmes in 11 native languages. He emphasized the NEP’s emphasis on mother tongue will instil confidence in students from poor and rural backgrounds. Enacting laws is not sufficient. If you wish to change the life of millions of children who are waiting to pursue professional courses in their mother tongue, you have to ensure that it is enforced strictly. The NEP 2020 advocates the use of mother tongue even in primary schools.

The Biggest Reform In The Field Of Education

NEP 2020 is a milestone in India’s journey to becoming a knowledge superpower . Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this well-thought and forward-looking approach will transform the educational sector completely.

The NEP in effect until now was 34 years old. A more apt vision was needed to meet the aspirations of New India. Since January 2015, an unprecedented consultation that involved nearly two lakh suggestions from 2.5 lakh gram panchayats, 6,600 blocks, and 676 districts took place in committees constituted under the chairmanship of former cabinet secretary T S R Subramanian and eminent scientist K Kasturirangan, which ultimately fructified into the NEP 2020.

NEP 2020 is an ambitious and futuristic policy that ensures opportunities for children to hone their talents by fixing the lacunae in the education system. Recognising the urgency of foundational learning, the shift from the 10+2 system to the 5+3+3+4 — with foundation, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages — will focus on a more holistic development of children. The emphasis on skills like analysis, critical thinking, conceptual clarity and co-curricular and vocational subjects will diversify their learning. Universal access at all levels of school education will be guaranteed, and it is proposed that the around two crore children who drop out will be brought back into the education system.

The mandatory teaching of an Indian language will protect and promote our linguistic and cultural diversity. India has thousands of languages and dialects, and each language has its significance and identity. India takes pride in this. But on the other hand, 196 languages in the country have been included in the list of endangered languages by UNESCO. The NEP’s emphasis on local languages will address these concerns.

Studies To Prove

Multiple studies have shown that children who study in their mother tongue in their initial years outperform those who have studied in an alien language. The Mother tongue develops a child’s personal, social and cultural identity. Using mother tongue helps a child develop their critical thinking and literacy skills. The UNESCO and other organizations have been emphasizing the role of the mother tongue in building self-identity and the overall development of the child. Unfortunately, many parents give primary importance to the English language over their mother tongue as they feel the English language is for the elite. This trend has been developing from the time we were colonized by Britishers. So, it may take a lot of time and effort to change the mindset of people. But, if the government takes this seriously, then the change will surely come and it will be for everyone’s good.

The great Physicist and Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman demonstrated exemplary vision and had told that “We must teach science in our mother tongue. Otherwise, science will become a highbrow activity. It will not be an activity in which all people can participate.

Global Relevance

Among the G20 nations, most countries have state of the art universities and most of them impart teaching in the dominant language in their region. In Japan, a majority of universities offer courses in Japanese. France went to the extent of having a strict ‘French-only’ policy as the medium of instruction in schools. In Germany, the language of instruction in schools is predominantly German and even more than 80% of their masters’ programmes are taught in German.

See that your children are properly educated in the rudiments of their mother tongue, and then let them proceed to higher branches of learning.

-Brigham Young

Conclusion

So, the need of the hour is to start valuing our mother tongue and give it the rightful place. For us Indians, I don’t think English can ever exude that magic of emotions that our mother tongue can.

Whenever any question regarding your mother tongue clouds your brain, just ask yourself these two questions:

What is your identity without your mother tongue?

Does your mother tongue adds pride to your personality and makes you feel proud of yourself?

“I spend a great deal of my time thinking about the power of language—the way it can evoke an emotion, a visual image, a complex idea, or a simple truth.”

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