The National Education Policy move to introduce teaching and learning in the mother tongue is a particularly strong bold move. The prelude of the mother tongue will encourage a child to go to school with enthusiasm. The mother tongue is not just a language but a sense of belonging and valuing it can aid in fostering respect for one’s heritage. The NEP’s move will definitely help to bring back the emphasis and importance of our Indian languages and perhaps, also help to de-emphasize the importance of English. Being bilingual will also open up social and cultural opportunities for students and help one develop new perspectives.
The NEP 2020 is exactly on the lines of Basic Education by Mahatma Gandhi. Language holds the key to understanding and without it any concept taught is meaningless. One can master a concept only if one has a strong hold on the language it is presented in and there is no language more conductive than one’s mother tongue for learning. It has been proven time and again through research that students who study in their mother tongue find it easier to learn the information presented, retain it for longer periods and find it easier to understand the concepts and relate them to real life.
Quantitatively, studies also show that children who receive schooling in their mother- tongue language in early grades have better learning outcomes overall and have significantly better literacy levels. Apart from academic benefits, learning in mother tongue has proven to improve speaking skills and social skills which are key factors in creating well rounded citizens.
The proposed system provides a very promising prospect for our future education system and can revolutionise the teaching-learning process. However, there are few creases in the proposed plan which can be ironed out by making certain changes in the system. If with careful planning this system is implemented successfully, I am certain it can make a positive impact in our current education system.
Home is the first school for any kid and children should be taught in their mother tongue. Beginning with mother tongue at home and learning in foreign language in school slows down the learning process. Any foreign language can be easily learnt by a child even after grade 5 because of brain plasticity. When the language of instruction is in the mother tongue, children can understand concepts faster and retain them for longer.
The use of mother tongue as a medium of instruction in the classroom helps students to understand easily and connect with the classroom conversation. Learning in foreign language may lead to distraction among students. Due to the use of English language, many parents are not able to participate in their child’s schooling. This will increase the rate of parental participation in child’s schooling and will lead to strong home-school partnerships.
Being bilingual enhances analytical skills, they have higher synaptic activity in the brain due to multiple languages which shows higher mental flexibility and processing power. Learning in local language will boost self-confidence and will be able to express themselves in better ways.
India has different and beautiful languages which are unique. The loss of our languages and dialects will be cultural loss not just to India but also to the world. Learning through mother language or local language helps children to connect with their ancestors in a way which others can’t. Developed countries offer education in their native language which helps in preserving and maintaining cultural heritage.
There are a few shortcomings to this approach. First, it is hard to implement in metro. Second, it does not take children who transfer from one city to another in mind.
The writer is Neelima Kamrah,Principal, KIIT World School