Brief Context
In News The Tamil Nadu government strongly opposed the UGC’s circular mandating the teaching of a third language in higher education. Background The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 retains the three-language formula introduced in 1968 but offers more flexibility. Unlike the earlier policy, it does not make Hindi compulsory.
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Syllabus: GS 2/Governance
In News
- The Tamil Nadu government strongly opposed the UGC’s circular mandating the teaching of a third language in higher education.
Background
- The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 retains the three-language formula introduced in 1968 but offers more flexibility.
- Unlike the earlier policy, it does not make Hindi compulsory. Children will learn three languages chosen by the State, region, and themselves, with at least two being Indian languages.
- The policy emphasizes bilingual instruction in the mother tongue/home language and English, and highlights Sanskrit as an optional language choice.
Objectives
- It aims to encourage students to learn beyond English and their mother tongue, fostering linguistic diversity.
- The UGC aims to bridge cultural and regional divides by introducing a third language. Multilingual skills are seen as an asset in globalized workplaces.
- The NEP advocates for a three-language formula to nurture cognitive flexibility and cultural awareness.
Issues and Challenges
- States like Tamil Nadu, which follow a two-language policy, view the circular as an attempt to impose Hindi, sparking political and cultural resistance.
- Many universities lack qualified faculty and infrastructure to introduce additional language courses.
- Adding a third language may increase academic load, especially in professional courses.
- Students from marginalized backgrounds may struggle with access to quality language instruction.
- Critics argue that mandating language learning infringes on the academic autonomy of states and institutions.
Conclusion and Way Forward
- The UGC’s circular aims to create a multilingual, culturally integrated higher education system, but its success depends on flexible implementation, respect for regional language policies, and adequate resources.
- A balanced, adaptable approach is essential to avoid deepening linguistic divides and to achieve the NEP’s vision of inclusive, holistic education.
Source :TH