Understanding the Three-Language Policy Under NEP 2020 and the Ongoing Debate

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has sparked a heated debate in India, particularly concerning its three-language policy.

According to The Times of India, The Union Ministry of Education recently reiterated that no language will be imposed on any state, allowing students and states the flexibility to choose their languages. However, Tamil Nadu has strongly opposed the policy, fearing that it may lead to the imposition of Hindi, thereby reviving linguistic tensions.

What is the Three-Language Policy?

The three-language policy under NEP 2020 aims to promote multilingualism while ensuring flexibility in language education. It allows states and students to decide which languages they wish to learn, provided that at least two of the three languages are native to India. Unlike previous policies, which required specific language choices, NEP 2020 provides greater autonomy to states while giving importance to regional and classical languages.

Additionally, the policy encourages learning in the mother tongue and bilingual education. To support this, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has released digital books in 104 regional languages and dialects, including Bengali, Khandeshi, Tulu, Ladakhi, Pashto, Bhili, Dogri, Lahuli (Pattani), and Car Nicobarese.

No Imposition of Any Language

In response to Tamil Nadu’s concerns and as stated in The Times of India, the Union Education Ministry has maintained that NEP 2020 does not impose any particular language on states. Education Minister Hon’ Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of State for Education Hon’ Dr. Sukanta Majumdar have reiterated that students are free to choose their languages, as long as two of the three are Indian languages.

Further, students who wish to change their language of study can do so in Grade 6 or 7, provided they show basic proficiency in three languages by the end of secondary school.

The Cognitive and Educational Benefits of Multilingualism

Hon’ Dr. Sukanta Majumdar as per The New Indian Express quoted NEP-2020, para-4.12, saying that, ‘Research clearly shows that children pick up languages extremely quickly between the ages of 2 and 8 and that multilingualism has great cognitive benefits to young students, children will be exposed to different languages early on (but with a particular emphasis on the mother tongue), starting from the Foundational Stage onwards.’

The policy aims to integrate multilingualism at both school and higher education levels, leveraging technology to facilitate language learning.

Implementation of NEP 2020 in Other States

Several states have already begun implementing language-related reforms in line with NEP 2020. For instance:

Andhra Pradesh introduced bilingual textbooks in Telugu and English in 2023.
Assam launched bilingual Science and Maths textbooks in English, Assamese, Bodo, and Bengali.
NCERT has made efforts to provide reading materials in multiple Indian languages to ensure students have the choice to study in their mother tongue or local language.

In conclusion, NEP 2020's three-language policy promotes multilingualism while giving states and students the freedom to choose languages. Despite Tamil Nadu’s concerns, the government has assured that no language will be forced on any state. The policy supports mother-tongue learning, bilingual education, and the use of regional languages, with many states already adopting language reforms.