International Journal of Management Research and Social Science (IJMRSS) ISSN 2394-6407(Print)

Volume 8, Issue 1, January – March 2021 ISSN 2394-6415(Online)

National Education Policy 2020: Language Perspective

Abstract — Education is one that can bring national unity in a multilingual nation, as well as it is a good means of
maintaining multilingualism and national unity. Linguistic discourse somewhere connects us with our language and speech.
Education policy is the basic requirement of any nation, which includes the analysis of the past, the need of the present and
the possibilities of the future. Education policy is an important initiative towards ensuring the all-round development of
Indian society. It aims to promote the preservation and development of all Indian languages. The main problem in a
multilingual and multicultural country like India is to decide which language to use as a medium of instruction. It was for the
first time that the mother tongue was made the medium of education at the primary level keeping in mind the interests of the
Indian people in education policy. The language issues from paragraphs 4.11 to 4.22 have been presented very carefully
under the heading 'Multilingualism and the power of language of this document. The inclusion of vernacular in education
will give new life to the endangered languages and will help to keep children connected to their culture. Of course, this will
lead to a qualitative increase in the creative ability of the students. India's cultural and social splendour lies in education in
the native language i.e. mother tongue. The new education policy lays emphasis on the use of mother tongue or vernacular
for the medium of primary education, which aims to advance children in the field of education by keeping children
connected to their mother tongue and culture. In order to preserve this multilingual society it is necessary that children have
the opportunity to learn multilingual proficiency from school education to college and university education. The National
Education Policy 2020 proposes early implementation of a three-language formula to promote multilingualism from the
school level. This education policy is a vibrant document to empower the mother tongue and Indian languages. New
education policy 2020 has been announced in line with public aspirations and according to national needs and challenges.
For the first time in the country, the use of technology in machine learning, artificial intelligence and translation has been
emphasised in a policy document. Emphasis has been laid on the study of Indian languages, classical languages, and Sanskrit.
The education system has four major dimensions - students, teachers, curriculum and infrastructural facilities. Keeping these
four in mind, the new education policy appears with wide potential. If we try to understand in totality, at the policy level,
special emphasis has been laid on language-multilingualism, language-education-teaching etc. The new education policy will
help in contributing to the development of self-reliant India. If it is implemented well with better coordination with other
policies then it will be a far-reaching policy.

The objectives of the present study are to find out why and how far the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP2020) was
necessary to prepare. How the education policy is an important initiative towards ensuring the all-round development of
Indian society. The language issues in the document and how Multilingualism and the power of language of the NEP
document can play a vital role for holistic development of the students from primary to higher education.

Keywords — Education Policy; Document; Language; Culture; Mother Tongue; Local Language; Multilingualism; Three-
Language Formula.
NEP2020:p.4) Accordingly, on the recommendations of the
1. Introduction committee constituted under the leadership of Dr. K.
Kasturirangan, the Central Government has presented a
roadmap for the transition from primary education to
Education is considered as the fundamental to achieve higher education, accepting the 'National Education Policy-
human potential and develop an equitable society for the 2020'. A target has been set to ensure quality education and
national development. The NEP2020 states that universal to promote lifelong education opportunities. National
access to quality education is the key to India’s continued Education Policy-2020 has brought expectations of success
ascent and leadership on worldwide in terms of economic with very ambitious and far-reaching results compared to
process, social justice and equality, scientific expansion, the previous two policies. This is because; the policy has
national incorporation, and cultural conservation. The come out after about 5 years of preparations. This is the
global education development agenda reflected in the Goal first national effort after independence, in which Indian
4 (SDG4) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable languages have been considered in a holistic manner and
Development, adopted by India in 2015 - seeks to “ensure the power of language has been given importance. The
inclusive and equitable quality education and promote prominence of language in the policy can be understood
lifelong learning opportunities for all” by 2030.” from the fact that in this 66-page documentthe word of

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Volume 8, Issue 1, January – March 2021 ISSN 2394-6415(Online)

‘language’ has been used 206 times, out of which 126 as discuss. Focus has been made on several issues within the
plural and 80 times as singular. The ‘plural’ here signifies issue of language. The NEP2020 original document of
that in this document, the emphasis is on plurality cantered erstwhile MHRD department, Government of India is the
on all Indian languages rather than on any one language.If primary source of the study. The paper may be considered
we try to understand in the broader scenario, then we will a unique one in terms of language policy of the NEP
find that languages play a strong role in connecting our document and open up many avenues for further discussion
society. Language has special significance in the process of on multilingualism, multiculturalism and of course the
teaching and learning. The current education system power of language.
promotes the supremacy of English, which hinders the
development of the personality of the child and slows down 4. Results
the pace of learning. According to psychology, the child
learns easily and quickly in his mother tongue or regional
The aim of this study is how to promote the
language. The new education policy talks about promoting
preservation and development of all Indian languages. It
and preserving linguistic diversity. The education system
was for the first time that the mother tongue was made the
has four major dimensions - students, teachers, curriculum
medium of education at the primary level keeping in mind
and infrastructural facilities. Keeping these four in mind,
the interests of the Indian people and for holistic
the new education system appears with wide potential. The
development of the personality of Indian students. The
new education policy lays emphasis on the use of mother
objective of including Indian languages in the education
tongue or vernacular for the medium of primary education,
system is to save and strengthen them which will give new
which aims to advance children in the field of education by
life to the endangered languages and will help to keep
keeping them connected to their mother tongue (Home
children connected to their art &culture.
language) and culture.Education requires proper planning
and policy. Education is a process of learning that can be
Language as Power: The National Education Policy
achieved through language.
2020 presented by the Government of India has brought a
ray of hope for all Indian languages. The language issues
The main problem in a multilingual and multicultural from paragraphs 4.11 to 4.22 have been presented very
country like India is to decide which language to use as a carefully under the heading 'Multilingualism and the power
medium of instruction. Education is one that can bring of language' of this document. Under this, paragraph 4.11
national unity in a multilingual nation. Linguistic discourse recognizes that young children learn and understand
somewhere connects us with our language and speech. In meaningful concepts in their home language / mother
order to preserve this multilingual society it is necessary tongue more quickly. So, as far as possible, at least till
that children have the opportunity to learn multilingual grade 5 but preferably it is up to grade 8 and beyond, the
proficiency from school education to college and university medium of instruction will be home language / mother
education. Our children are also unable to acquire the basic tongue / local language / regional language. After this,
language skills at school level. A large proportion of school home / local language will continue to be taught as a
children are lagging in reading, letter knowledge, writing, language wherever possible. Both government and private
etc. When these children go to colleges and universities, schools will comply with this. This is the biggest
they do not take interest in language and literature studies. achievement of the new education policy. This is the
condition when the ability of children is highest. During
2. Literature Survey this period, the medium of instruction has been set in the
mother tongue i.e. home language or vernacular or regional
So far as the literature survey is concerned, till now no language, it will have far-reaching consequences and our
specific literature is found except the NEP2020 original national spirit will also be strengthened. The very language
document published by MHRD, Govt. of India. during which he communicates together with his |along
Furthermore, no specific book or paper is available till now with his"> together with his mother and with his immediate
on the particular topic i.e. the language perspective of the environment also serves to link him with a wider crowd,
NEP2020. This paper will open up various angles to most of whose members are distant in time and place.
discuss further. Language thus provides a continuity and scope without
which a way of overarching nationality couldn't be
3. Materials and Methods constructed; it provides concrete, emotionally significant
products that the individual received from previous
generations and can expire the longer term ones which ,
In order to meet the objectives, the paper takes a detail
within the present, link him to a widely dispersed
analysis of the National Education Policy 2020 approved
population, most of whose members he doesn't , and never
by the central cabinet. Out of several issues, the language
will, know personally.” (Kelman (1971: 54).
perspective of the policy has been taken specifically to

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Volume 8, Issue 1, January – March 2021 ISSN 2394-6415(Online)

Today, the time it takes to learn English can be basis of the census, in the last 30-40 years, the number of
appropriated in the expansion of knowledge. Therefore, speakers of major languages has been decreased gradually,
changing the medium of education in government and while the population of the country and that region has
private schools in the initial phase will yield very positive increased. It is a matter of happiness that this education
results. It has been made clear again in para 4.13 that no policy has provisions on the development of teaching and
language will be imposed on any state. However, the study in all languages including the eighth schedule. It is
importance of English has also not been denied in this. proposed to update and disseminate them, so that our
Higher quality textbooks in all subjects including science languages can stand before the English, French, German,
will be made available in home languages / mother tongue. Hebrew, Korean and Japanese languages.
Para 4.14 of the format states that all efforts will be made
to prepare bilingual textbooks and high quality teaching Language Teachers: Chapter 22 of this document
material in science and mathematics so that students will be prescribes that special training is provided to language
able to think and speak on both subjects in both their home teachers. It is mentioned in this chapter that language
language / mother tongue and English. In order to develop departments will be established in higher education
linguistic skills in children, especially oral and written institutions, whose responsibility will be to provide training
communication skills, a year-long fair will be organized in to language teachers. The trained teachers here will serve
schools in which litterateurs, writers etc. will be invited so in various schools in the country. The professional demand
that children get an opportunity to interact with them. If of language teachers is also mentioned in this document.
these linguistic fairs are held near any good libraries, then Demand for teachers of Indian languages will increase
children can increase their interest in reading books. across the country. This will also provide employment to
Children will also get opportunities to choose their teachers. Linguistic skills especially oral and written
language. Especially after the fifth and eighth grade change communication skills will be developed in children.
their language. Flexibility has been maintained in the According to this document, development and preservation
choice of language. Dr. Rukmini Banerji, the CEO of of all Indian languages will be encouraged. Under this,
Pratham Education Foundation, believes that teachers special plans will be made to advance classical Indian
should able to speak the playground language, which is languages and literature in higher education institutions. A
spoken by students in the playground, to provide effective national institute for Pali, Prakrit and Persian languages
education in any subject. Speaking to BOOM, Banerji said, will be established. If we try to understand in totality, at the
"I am from Bihar where nobody speaks Hindi, but rather policy level, special emphasis has been laid on
Bhojpuri or Maithili. In school, if you suddenly face multilingualism and language-education-teaching. Apart
instructions in Hindi, you may not understand. An effort from this, there are plans to prepare professional teachers
should be made to bring the school closer to the home and take them forward in their profession, their efficiency,
through the home-language." which is linked to continuous professional development
program and make them better teachers. At the level of
There are many levels of languages in the country, planning, policy etc., this document appears in a positive
including the official language, classical language, eighth form.
schedule languages, etc. But the issue ofendangered
language has emerged for the first time in a consolidated The language through which the child first
policy document, which discusses the 197 languages communicates with his mother, family and environment, if
declared by UNESCO, along with the concern for the he gets education for the first few years, his mental
preservation and promotion of script less and endangered development will be better. The following observation by
languages. This linguistic crisis is also seen with tribal Rutherford is quite significant, There is a minimum of one
languages, it is more or less same with all Indian languages. characteristic that's common to each successful language-
It has eighth schedule languages and classical languages. learning experience we've ever known, which is that the
According to the 1961 census of India, 1652 mother learner is exposed a method or another to an adequate
tongues have been reported, including 103 foreign mother amount of the info of the language to be learned” (p.18).
tongues. According to the data of the 15th census 2011, the
number of mother tongues recorded by the people is about In the era of social media and e-learning, it is not
19569. After analysing and reviewing the names of these possible for anyone to remain completely untouched by
mother tongues, the existence of 1369 rationally rated English. Going forward, he can learn it as per his
mother tongues and 1474 unclassified languages has been requirement. The responsibility of its system has also been
approved in this report. The total number of languages placed in the education policy. English is not a typical
spoken by more than 10,000 people is 121. It is impossible foreign language as in case of Spanish, Russian and
to take care of all these mother tongues, but there are German languages. The benefit of using home / mother
currently 22 scheduled languages in priority, but the tongue as a medium would be to get rid of the initial
current education policy has raised hopes, no doubt. On the hesitation, fear and anxiety.

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Multilingualism: With the emphasis on education . Consistent with sociologist Peter Trudgill,
multilingualism in the National Education Policy 2020, the "language as a social phenomenon is closely engaged with
changes that are proposed in the schooling system are the social organization and value systems of society (p. 8)."
likely to emerge in the multi-faceted personality of the In this way, if a language represents a region or a particular
students. In this context, the document is a systematic and society, then it will be easy for any child from the
practical effort towards the new construction of modern background of that society to understand the basic
India and the upgrading of the Indian education system as education in their language. But to make these languages
per the twenty-first century requirement. Early childhood educative, there is an urgent need to strengthen them at the
care and education has been included in the education structural and conceptual level i.e. without standardization
policy keeping in mind the all-round development of and technical terminology, there will be difficulty in
children. Along with this, a meaningful initiative has been making these languages a medium of instruction and
taken to use mother tongue or regional language for producing text books. Along with this, the new education
primary and secondary education. Eliminating the policy has suggested several measures to improve the
imperative of English as a medium of primary level quality of teaching along with the educational use of Indian
education and widespread use of Indian languages will see languages. Towards training of continuous professional
far reaching results in basic education. This will pave the development for teachers; Use of technology platforms
way for the advancement of native languages, as well as such as SWAYAM / DIKSHA will be available to train
help in the development of the spirit of Indianness and teachers through online mode.
national unity. Prof. Hans Raj Dua (2008: 44) believes that
such thinking and its implementation had two far-reaching Education policy also states that many students come
effects on Indian society. On the one hand, English got a from other states and do not know the regional or local
big boost and thus the economic interests and ideas of the language. In such a situation, its efforts to promote
economically influential elite were nurtured, on the other language diversity and multiculturalism can be fruitless.
hand, the social status, functions and model for National Education Policy 2020 recommends that students
development of local languages suffered a lot. Thus the should learn three languages under the formulain their
principles of monolingualism hampered multilingualism school out of which two languages must be native of India.
and destruction of minority language communities and For example, if a student in Odisha is learning Oriya and
their linguistic rights, as well as the functions and benefits English, he has to choose to learn another Indian language.
of linguistic diversity. Education through mother tongue The draft also states that under the three-language formula,
and Indian languages will increase the chances of it will be mandatory to teach / learn Hindi in states where
employability and we will be successful in building a Hindi is not commonly spoken. After protests from non-
confident future generation. Instead of insisting on securing Hindi speaking states like Tamil Nadu, the central Govt.
marks, emphasis has been given on self-reliance and dropped the reference to compulsory learning of Hindi. The
understanding the concept as well as the desire to create a choice of languages will depend on the states and students.
new generation with all-round development in this However, to be a native of the country, it is compulsory to
document. By acquiring knowledge of Indian languages have at least two of the three languages - one of which is
one can actually make the imagination of nation-growth most likely to be a local or regional language. However, a
possible by rising above the feelings of caste, religion, statement issued by the Ministry of Education stated that
regionalism and communalism. "no language will be imposed on any student". It is not
clear to what extent a student will choose a languagebut the
Importance of Mother Tongue: On a practical level, document recognizes India's linguistic diversity, the
the difference between any two languages is social or importance of multilingualism and bilingual education and
political rather than linguistic. In this way, the mother the need for capacity building in Indian languages.
tongue or regional language can express its social values
and knowledge in the entire occultation to the new The use of words like home language, mother tongue
generation through elementary education. Thus, if a and vernacular has been kept so that it can be changed. The
language represents a region or a particular society, it will three are, in fact, viewed as similar to each other or as
be easy for any child coming from the background of that alternatives. The language of the home, or what is spoken
society to understand the basic education in their language. at a child's home, is transformed into "mother tongue" or
Govindraj Ethiraj rightly said, “The closer the school "vernacular", as the policy makes no effort to separate them.
language is to the language that the child is familiar with Is home language always the mother tongue? Will the local
that what is going to build a robust”. Many world famous language always be the home language? What is the local
language scientists and academicians like Steven Pinker, language of a child? For example, a child from Aligarh
Chomsky, Peter Trudgill, etc., have made it clear that the who speaks Hindi at home listens to Urdu in the area and
language closest to the maternal language or student's learns English at school. What can be the local language of
social language is that the most useful language for a child whose family speaks Bhojpuri and lives in a Hindi

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speaking part of Mumbai! There is a difference in the local languages included those of Eighth Schedule of the
and home language of a North Indian child living in Constitution. Apart from this, it is proposed to collect
Chennai or vice versa, a South Indian child living in Bihar. manuscripts, preserve them, translate and encourage their
Language is a ubiquitous and polymorphic phenomenon, study. Language, culture and art have been included in this
and in India, language boundaries are fluid, as expressed by new education policy in such a way that students can
the term "multilingual”. For example, many people who develop their own creative, artistic, cultural and academic
speak Urdu, Hindi and English would describe all three as dimensions. If these language resolutions and provisions
their language. The question of mother tongue will always are implemented with authenticity in the coming time, then
be problematic for such individuals and groups. The new Indian languages will be of great help in containing the
education policy promotes multilingual culture and symbols and sources of their lost glory. This will emerge
multilingualism is considered as a boon. It is also an an India whose citizens will be blessed with a sense of
opportunity to learn and expand a horizon. However, the pride for their language, culture, tradition and heritage, and
complexities of multilingualism also have to be noted. India will be on the march to a new peak of knowledge.
Translation: The new education policy has brought the Today there is also a large number of students with
concept of the Indian Institute of Translation and disabilities in India. The new education policy for their
Interpretation, under which the work of translating and new needs emphasizes on the preparation of teaching materials
interpretation from various fields of knowledge can be and infrastructure.
done easily. The new education policy also emphasizes that
the teaching of all languages will be enriched through Importance of Sanskrit: Sanskrit has been given
innovative and experiential methods and will be taught by special importance in the new Education Policy 2020 of the
combining cultural aspects of languages such as film, Government of India. Sanskrit, which some people believe
theatre, storytelling, poetry and music etc. The use of to be dead, still survives in the regional languages of India
mother tongue / vernacular as a medium in various higher in the form of Tatsam / Prabhav and Apabhramsa. Sanskrit
education institutions and various programs at the level of is a rich language in itself, which needs to be reached to the
higher education or running these programs in bilingual masses. The important steps taken by the Central
form is a major step in this document. This will strengthen Government for the bright future of Sanskrit are
Indian languages. Along with this, it has also been said to commendable. All the Morden Indian languages, some part
create degrees and programs related to translation under the of Sanskrit is definitely found in them. We use Sanskrit
higher education system, which is very important in terms words in different languages. By bringing Sanskrit and
of implementation of Indian languages. However, as per other classical languages to the centre, this policy has given
the suggestion of the 'National Knowledge Commission', a new meaning to the 'Indian Linguistic Area'. Sanskrit will
the 'National Translation Mission' has been in operation be included in the mainstream curriculum. It will not be
since 2005 and can be transformed into an institute where confined to single-stream Sanskrit schools and universities,
there is a comprehensive translation initiative in all Indian but will be kept in broader perspective. Sanskrit teaching
languages including English. The tradition of knowledge will be made interesting and innovative, and will be linked
contained in tribal languages should be placed at the to other contemporary and relevant subjects such as
national front. mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, linguistics,
dramaturgy, yoga, and more. According to the document,
Classical Language: Looking at the possibility of Sanskrit, while an important modern language mentioned
better teaching and research on the art, history and tradition in the Eighth Schedule to the Constitution of India, has a
of the country, Indian classical languages {Tamil (2004), classical literature that is more in volume than Latin and
Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Greek, with vast treasures of mathematics, philosophy,
Malayalam (2013), and Oriya ( 2014)} it has been grammar, music.
suggested to connect institutions with various universities.
Apart from this, emphasis has also been laid on creating NEP 2020 in para 4.17 says, “Sanskrit, while also a
new institutions for Pali, Prakrit and Persian languages. At crucial modern language mentioned within the Eighth
the same time, it has been proposed to create an Schedule of the Constitution of India, possesses a classical
independent institute with special emphasis on translation literature that's greater in volume than that of Latin and
so that the culture of multilingualism and comparative Greek put together, containing vast treasures of
studies of the country can be promoted. With the mathematics, grammar, drama, politics, architecture,
establishment of National Institutes for Parsian, Pali and metallurgy, philosophy poetry, storytelling, medicine, and
Prakrit', it was suggested to strengthen the language more (known as ‘Sanskrit Knowledge Systems’), written
department in higher educational institutions and promote by people of varied religions also as non-religious people,
mother tongue / local language in form of teaching in and by people from all walks of life and a good range of
higher educational institutions. The new education policy is socio-economic backgrounds over thousands of years. It’ll
also involved in setting up academies for all Indian be taught in ways in which are interesting and experiential

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also as contemporarily relevant, including through the 100 of these 197 endangered languages are from tribal
utilization of Sanskrit Knowledge Systems, and especially areas of the North-eastern region of India (NEI).
through phonetics and pronunciation. Foundational and
middle school level Sanskrit textbooks may be written in When a senior member of a community or tribe
Simple Standard Sanskrit (SSS) to teach Sanskrit through speaking that language dies, often that language also ends
Sanskrit (STS) and make its study truly enjoyable.” (p.14 ). with them; and often no concrete action or measures are
taken to preserve or record the expressions of these rich
Other Languages: The classical languages and languages / culture. Moreover, various problems pertaining
literature in India like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, to 22 scheduled languages of the Constitution of India are
Odia, Pali, Persian and Prakrit will also extensively also discussed in Para 22.6 of this document. Learning
available as an option for students in schools. Not only materials and dictionaries in these languages will also have
languages, dialect is also given importance in this policy. to focus on preparation and continuous promotion.
The emphasis is also on making them the medium of
teaching. These, classical languages should be modernised Indian Languages: The new education policy has also
as per the need. This may be particularly troublesome included the importance of Hindi language by adjusting the
where the classical language is associated with religious influence of mother tongue primarily. Along with Hindi,
traditions, as in the Arab world.” Fortunately, this is not the the importance of Indian languages should also be made
case in India. Similar efforts will be made for all Indian and the dominance of English should be eliminated. The
languages possessing rich oral and written literature, mother tongue has unmatched importance in it. The new
cultural tradition and knowledge. education policy, along with being based on Indian values
of life, emphasizes on the promotion, restoration and
Course study materials are developed at the state level propagation of Indian traditions, Indian culture and Indian
and national level for deaf students and Indian Sign languages, making it an important role in making India a
Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country. capable, glorious, self-reliant. All the rich language
This document on teaching foreign languages states: Apart thinkers have believed that for the prosperity of the country
from high quality teaching material in Indian languages it is necessary to create an environment of the native
and English, foreign languages like Korean, Japanese, Thai, language in which high quality education should be equally
French, German, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian will also available in the languages. A strong democratic India can
be placed in secondary level. In order to know the cultures be built on this basis. Overall, we can say it as an India-
of the universe and broaden their knowledge horizon, centric education policy.
students should study important foreign languages. As
regard to Chinese, this language has been dropped due to Language and Culture: The language and culture are
the recent Indo-Chinese conflict. both sides of the same coin. When language comes, it
brings with it its culture and when it goes, it also takes its
Endangered Languages: Languages are repositories of culture along. According to Indian culture, the need for a
historical/geographical knowledge and healthy community new education policy was being felt for a long time and it
interactions. Indigenous people speak hundreds of was also felt that Indian languages along with Hindi should
languages.”(Vijay Tyagi)It is known that without the use of be given importance in this education. Hindi is the
language, one often dies. In fact, this is the first policy language of nationality, making it the official language and
document of the Government of India in which the issue of enshrining it as a symbol of nationality should be the
distressed languages has been raised so seriously. In this priority of the new education policy. The main objective of
policy, there is a clear mention that the government is not the new education policy is to make people aware that they
only worried about the extinct languages, as well as it is cannot develop till they fully use all Indian languages
sensitive to those languages which cannot be categorized as including Hindi, and will not get national pride. The basis
endangered languages but they also have no fewer of Indian nationality is its composite culture, which has
problems. The importance of languages connecting continuity with the languages of India. Therefore,
language with art and culture is discussed in para 22.4 of compulsory teaching of the languages of the Union and the
National Education 2020. At the same time, emphasizing States is also necessary from the point of view of unity
on preserving and promoting the languages of culture for integrity of the country. All the thinkers and academicians
conservation, promotion and propagation of culture is a of the country and the world believe that education in
commendable step. Para 22.5 expresses the concern over mother tongue is the best for the development of the
the extinction of languages in India. It states that individual. In almost all developed countries, the medium
"Unfortunately, Indian languages have not received proper of instruction is their own languages and on the contrary
attention and care under which the country has lost 220 most countries with foreign language medium are
languages in the last 50 years." UNESCO has declared 197 underdeveloped or under development category. The secret
Indian languages as 'Endangered'.”(NEP2020) “Around of the development, self-respect and self-confidence of the

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people of European, American, Germany, Japan, Russian, across the country, and in particular, all the languages
Korean etc. is to give love, respect and top priority to self- mentioned in the 8th schedule of the constitution. The
language. They stand alive with pride and pride with their teaching of the child in the mother tongue under the
language &culture with all science-technology and trilingual formula was also stated in the Kothari
economics. This is not happening to us, because we did not Commission's 1986 education policy, but that
understand the importance of national identity, self- recommendation could not be implemented in its entirety
language and self-culture. While this is what makes us our in the country. There was a provision of teaching a regional,
independent identity, and increases the pride of the nation. a national and a foreign language in schools under the
Western culture is served through English language Three-language formula. Significantly, after the
teaching at all levels from nursery poems, stories and other implementation of the formula, there was a voice of
texts in India's seasons, rivers, mountains, dance, music, opposition especially from the southern states. Under it,
festivals, traditions, history, mythological stories, saints English and Hindi, a regional language, were kept in
and the people belong to western countries. There is not schools. After the protest it was made flexible and no
even a glimpse of Indian culture in the text. Due to this, language was made compulsory. Under this, the
from the childhood, the students start leaning towards implementation of the trilingual formula in the Hindi
western culture instead of Indian culture and they start to speaking states was ignored. Hindi and English remained,
accept western culture better than Indian culture. Hindi is a but no measures were taken to teach any other Indian
symbol of nationality and nation because Hindi is the language. No Hindi speaking state has included any South
language that connects India in socio-political-geographical Indian language in the curriculum of its schools. In the
and linguistic terms. Even if Hindi is the official language context of trilingual formula, there is nothing new in the
of the nation, it has not been given importance in the policy new education policy this time, but there is newness in its
document in order to democratise the language policy. presentation. The new education policy-2020 aims to
develop India into a knowledge-based society. In other
Three-language Formula: The New Education Policy Hindi speaking states it will be other modern Indian
2020 proposes early implementation of a three-language language or English. In case of non-Hindi areas, it can be
formula to promote multilingualism from the school level. Hindi or English. The third language will be English or a
The document states that the three-language formula will modern Indian language in the Hindi speaking states. In a
be applied to the need to promote constitutional provisions, non-Hindi speaking state, it will be English or one of the
people, territories and union aspirations, and promote modern Indian languages. According to the committee's
multilingualism as well as national unity. “The three- report, language learning is an important part of a child's
language policy emphasizes the utilization of a national cognitive development. Its aim is to promote
language as a teaching medium up to Class 5 of the kids. multilingualism among students. States like Tamil Nadu,
Puduchery and Tripura have objected to the adoption of
Students in class and better education will have the Hindi under the trilingual formula in their schools. Not
choice of Sanskrit and other ancient Indian languages, but only this, often state governments also do not have enough
no student will have any obligation to settle on the resources to implement the three-tier linguistic formula.
language. The policy calls to provide the option of three Special attention is needed for these issues. “The policy
languages and out of which two will be indigenous appears good but, there are riders. The cognitive burden is
languages for the students (Sonali Sinha). However, the higher for these kids,” - Ganesh Devy, the man worked
document also states that the three-language formula will behind the People’s Linguistic Survey of India.
be more flexibility, and no language will be imposed on
any state. The children will learn the states, regions, and of The languages of India, along with their art and culture,
course the students' choice, so long as at least two of the will be documented through online portals, web and wiki to
three languages are from India. “The NEP 2020 brings with preserve the original language and their knowledge. The
a novel idea of implementing three-language formula with general public will also be invited to contribute to the
the view to encourage multilingualism and national unity. portal and add their learning resources, with high-level
The new education policy gives the right to the states to knowledge of the language. These web portals will be
decide the language of their choice. The NEP 2020 managed by universities and their research team and
provides fluidity to the three-language formula as there is funded by NRF. Students will be awarded scholarships on
no specific language that shall be imposed on any state.”In the basis of language. Various awards and incentives will
particular, students who wish to change three or more of be awarded for outstanding poetry and prose in Indian
the languages they are studying may do so in grades 6 or 7, languages in the context of various categories, which will
as long as they are able to demonstrate basic proficiency in be established to ensure vibrant novels, poetry, journalism,
the three languages. There will be a major effort from both textbooks and other works. In addition, proficiency in a
the Central and State Governments to recruit a large language at the time of employment will also be considered
number of language teachers in all the regional languages a key quality parameter. It is also important to emphasize

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International Journal of Management Research and Social Science (IJMRSS) ISSN 2394-6407(Print)
Volume 8, Issue 1, January – March 2021 ISSN 2394-6415(Online)

the delivery of education in different languages which will languages in Indian society and this led to social and
help to make students adaptable to multilingual education. economic inequalities which led to the fury of the concept
In addition, language education should be improved not of a just society. If education is available in Indian
only in terms of literature, grammar and language languages, then the children of millions of farmers will be
vocabulary, but also to interact with students in the same benefited.
language. Teachers with high-level knowledge of a
particular language will be appointed to impart education 5. Conclusion
to students for the respective language. There will be a
four-year B.Ed. degree which will focus primarily on
Language is a vital part of our education system in our
increasing knowledge about native languages, through
country which plays an important role in strengthening the
which teachers will be appointed as language expertise.
societal fabric in general and imparting education to the
children in particular. But due to the existing federal
Language Diversity: Linguistic discourse somewhere
structure and diversity in language, no local or regional
connects us with our language and speech and also makes
languages have given importance or supremacy over other
us part of a multi-lingual society where languages are heard,
languages in India. The three-language formula in the
spoken and read in a very little distance. There is no doubt
policy document wills certainlygive a boost toour
that the expressive capacity of a person living in a
education system and removes social disparity. Most of the
multilingual society can be seen and heard in every sphere
reforms in the NEP 2020 are very appreciative. Things
of his life. In order to preserve this multilingual society it is
should be changed with the need of the time which should
necessary that children have the opportunity to learn
be for the welfare of the society. Education is the key to
multilingual proficiency from school education to college
human life and social change. The changes in education
and university education. “The true relation between
should be good for development of a society; hence the
language development and diversity has evident and
NEP 2020 with its new vision will definitely bring good
possible suggestions for the developmental linguistic
changes in our education system. Education policy is an
planning. if there is no relation between development and
important initiative towards ensuring the all-round
language diversity, then goals in each domain can be
development of Indian society. It aims to promote the
pursued independently.
preservation and development of all Indian languages. It
was for the first time that the mother tongue was made the
However, language teaching is one side of this policy.
medium of education at the primary level keeping in mind
Apart from this, there are plans to prepare professional
the interests of the Indian people in education policy. Also,
teachers and take them forward in their profession, their
one of the objectives of including Indian languages in the
efficiency, professional development which is linked to
education system is to save and strengthen them. The
continuous professional development program and make
inclusion of vernacular in education will give new life to
them better teachers. This document appears complete at
the endangered languages and will help to keep children
the level of planning, policy etc. but in the other hand we
connected to their culture. Of course, this will lead to a
see large number vacancies of teachers in schools to
qualitative increase in the creative ability of the students. It
colleges, universities, in such a situation, Govt. should be
is important to establish India's cultural and social
serious about separate appointment of language teachers.
splendour in the minds of young generation which lies in
Achieving the appointment target is an important issue.
education through the native language i.e. mother tongue.
All behaviour without knowledge and study of mother
India is a multilingual country and judging from this
tongue is considered meaningless. Education policy is the
multilingualism is a major objective of this national policy.
basic requirement of any nation, which includes the
Now we have to see how it is implemented, because some
analysis of the past, the need of the present and the
of these policies like emphasizing the mother tongue, the
possibilities of the future. Ironically from the point of view
trilingual formulas, etc. were already there in the earlier
of education policy, education was left neglected by the
policy under Kothari Commission report, but there has
governments after the first in 1968 and second education
been no concerted effort to comply with them. Presently,
policy in 1986. Importance has been given to all Indian
the attention of scholars was particularly attracted towards
languages including Hindi. Majority and democracy have
languages when they realized that many languages of the
been respected in this document. Education, research and
world are not being learned by the new generation. Are
innovation are important in this era of knowledge, while
adopting technically strong and prestigious languages? The
respecting the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat. For
influential linguistic communities played the biggest role
the first time in the history of India, the views of about 2.5
because they gradually began to deny their existence by
lakh Grampanchayats, 6600 blocks and 650 districts were
considering their languages as a frivolous dialect. The
taken for framing the education policy. After taking
establishment of English at the center of the education
suggestions from academics, teachers, parents, public
system created a rift between the English and Indian

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International Journal of Management Research and Social Science (IJMRSS) ISSN 2394-6407(Print)
Volume 8, Issue 1, January – March 2021 ISSN 2394-6415(Online)

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