The step was taken as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- Order states that Hindi will be taught as the third language to students of Classes 1-5 in Marathi and English medium schools.
- It provides for option to opt out from Hindi, if 20 students per grade in a school wish to learn any other Indian language.
Three Language Formula
- Origin: Introduced in the NEP 1968 based on the recommendations of the Kothari Commission.
- It mandated mother tongue or regional language, official language and a modern Indian or European language
- NEP 2020: Promotes three-language formula (having at least two native languages) without imposition of any language and taking into consideration choices of States, regions and children.
- It states that wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language/mother tongue/local language/regional language.
Need for Three Language Policy
- Constitutional provisions: State to facilitate instruction in mother-tongue at primary stage especially for linguistic minorities (Article 350A) and Directives for development of Hindi language (Article 351).
- Cultural Significance: Promotion of multilingualism, multiculturalism, national unity and associated cognitive benefits to young students.
Challenges in implementing Three Language Policy
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