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Language Policy in India - The Three-Language Formula and Its Challenges

The document discusses the challenges and historical context of India's three-language formula, which mandates learning regional languages, Hindi, and English. Tamil Nadu's opposition highlights ongoing tensions regarding linguistic identity and federal policies, while the implementation of the formula has faced criticism for unevenness and declining teaching standards. The Central Advisory Board of Education's role in shaping language policy has diminished, further complicating efforts to improve language education across the country.

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55 views4 pages

Language Policy in India - The Three-Language Formula and Its Challenges

The document discusses the challenges and historical context of India's three-language formula, which mandates learning regional languages, Hindi, and English. Tamil Nadu's opposition highlights ongoing tensions regarding linguistic identity and federal policies, while the implementation of the formula has faced criticism for unevenness and declining teaching standards. The Central Advisory Board of Education's role in shaping language policy has diminished, further complicating efforts to improve language education across the country.

Uploaded by

shekhar.suman2022
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Language Policy in India - The Three-

Language Formula and Its Challenges


27-02-2025 03:00 PM 1 min read
GS-II

Context:
Tamil Nadu's opposition to the three-language formula has caused friction with the Centre.
The state has adhered to a two-language policy for decades and remains firm in its stance.
The three-language policy has had a mixed record in implementation across India.

The Language Debate in India:


Historical perspective:
Post-Independence, language policies have remained controversial.
Language has been perceived as a medium of instruction rather than a
cognitive tool.
Colonial influence shaped the education system’s focus on instruction rather
than exploration.

Constituent assembly and language policy:


The issue of a national language was debated extensively during Constitution
drafting.
Hindi’s adoption as an official language was fraught with complexities due to
its multiple varieties.
English retained prominence, despite expectations of its gradual decline.

Evolution of the Three-Language Formula:


The three-language formula:
It is a language learning policy introduced in the 1968 National Policy on
Education.
It mandated that students across India learn three languages: their regional
language (mother tongue), Hindi, and English.
Hindi-speaking states must study a modern Indian language (preferably from
the south) instead of Hindi as their third language.

NEP 2020 and the three-language formula:


The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has retained the three-language
formula albeit with a key difference that it doesn't impose any language on any
State.
It specifies that the languages to be learnt will be the choice of States, regions
and the students, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to
India.

Implementation challenges across India:


In the Hindi-speaking states, the third language rarely includes contemporary
languages from other Indian states.
Private schools in northern states do not prioritize regional languages like Tamil
or Punjabi.
Political concerns over language education have remained divisive and often
counterproductive.

Role played by the CABE:


The Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), a remarkable forum that had
served India since the 1920s, has played a crucial role in shaping language
policies.
CABE helped navigate federal governance challenges in education but has
been inactive in recent years.

The Real Issue - Language Standards in Education:


Declining teaching standards:
Science and mathematics have been dominated by coaching institutions, while
language teaching remains neglected.
English is now compulsory in many government schools, but proficiency
remains low.
Teachers' limited command over English affects learning outcomes, as seen in
Andhra Pradesh’s transition to English-medium education.

Impact on regional languages and reading habits:


Not just English, the standards of teaching in Hindi are no better.
Hindi and other regional languages are being treated as cultural artifacts rather
than active learning tools.
The decline in reading habits signifies deeper issues in language education.
Schools fail to cultivate habitual readers, undermining long-term language
proficiency.

Conclusion:
The debate over language education in India remains unresolved. Tamil Nadu’s steadfast
opposition to the three-language formula reflects deeper concerns over linguistic identity and
federal policies.
Improving language teaching standards is crucial for meaningful educational reform rather than
focusing solely on policy formulas.

Q1. Examine the historical debates in the Constituent Assembly regarding the national language
of India.
Ans. The Constituent Assembly debates led to a compromise allowing English as an associate
official language while promoting Hindi and regional languages.
Q2. Critically analyze the impact of the 3-language formula on national integration and linguistic
diversity in India.
Ans. Its uneven implementation, particularly in Hindi-speaking states, has led to concerns over
linguistic dominance and resistance from states like Tamil Nadu.
Q3. Discuss the role of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) in shaping India's
language policy.
Ans. CABE played a key role in consensus-building on language education policies, and its
decline has led to challenges in implementing inclusive language reforms.
Q4. Assess the challenges faced by language education in India.
Ans. Declining teaching standards in both English and regional languages, lack of teacher
training, etc., have negatively impacted language education in India.
Q5. Analyze the role of federalism in shaping language policies in India.
Ans. The federal nature of India’s governance, where states exercise autonomy in educational
policies, often leads to conflicts with centrally proposed language frameworks.
Source:IE

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