The Importance Of Mother Tongue In Education
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”
-Nelson Mandela
A Leap Of Faith In Education Sector
A historic milestone was achieved when as many as 14 engineering colleges in eight states decided to offer courses in regional languages. This revolutionary step is going to change the education landscape of our country.
On the first anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP), PM Narendra Modi hailed the move of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) of introducing B. Tech programmes in 11 native languages. He emphasized the NEP’s emphasis on mother tongue will instil confidence in students from poor and rural backgrounds. Enacting laws is not sufficient. If you wish to change the life of millions of children who are waiting to pursue professional courses in their mother tongue, you have to ensure that it is enforced strictly. The NEP 2020 advocates the use of mother tongue even in primary schools.
Studies To Prove
Multiple studies have shown that children who study in their mother tongue in their initial years outperform those who have studied in an alien language. The Mother tongue develops a child’s personal, social and cultural identity. Using mother tongue helps a child develop their critical thinking and literacy skills. The UNESCO and other organizations have been emphasizing the role of the mother tongue in building self-identity and the overall development of the child. Unfortunately, many parents give primary importance to the English language over their mother tongue as they feel the English language is for the elite. This trend has been developing from the time we were colonized by Britishers. So, it may take a lot of time and effort to change the mindset of people. But, if the government takes this seriously, then the change will surely come and it will be for everyone’s good.
The great Physicist and Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman demonstrated exemplary vision and had told that “We must teach science in our mother tongue. Otherwise, science will become a highbrow activity. It will not be an activity in which all people can participate.
Global Relevance
Among the G20 nations, most countries have state of the art universities and most of them impart teaching in the dominant language in their region. In Japan, a majority of universities offer courses in Japanese. France went to the extent of having a strict ‘French-only’ policy as the medium of instruction in schools. In Germany, the language of instruction in schools is predominantly German and even more than 80% of their masters’ programmes are taught in German.
Conclusion
So, the need of the hour is to start valuing our mother tongue and give it the rightful place. For us Indians, I don’t think English can ever exude that magic of emotions that our mother tongue can.
Whenever any question regarding your mother tongue clouds your brain, just ask yourself these two questions:
What is your identity without your mother tongue?
Does your mother tongue adds pride to your personality and makes you feel proud of yourself?
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