The recent CBSE orientation programme highlighted the guidelines based on the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It focused on promoting education in the mother tongue, aligning with NEP's objectives. However, challenges arise in diverse linguistic areas like Delhi, where multiple dialects are spoken.
Key Issues and Challenges
- Language Preferences:
- Many parents prefer foreign languages like French, German, and Spanish over Hindi for Class X and above.
- Reasons include difficulty in scoring high marks in Hindi and better employability through foreign languages.
- Linguistic Diversity:
- In cities like Delhi, determining which language to prioritize is complex.
- Schools face challenges in recruiting teachers and building infrastructure based on diverse linguistic needs.
- Implementation Challenges:
- CBSE hasn't conducted sufficient assessment studies on linguistic diversity and regional needs.
- Non-metropolitan schools might suffer due to lack of infrastructure.
Educational Implications
- Textbook Language:
- Many translated textbooks contain numerous English words, undermining the goal of promoting native languages.
- Parental Concerns:
- Families with diverse linguistic backgrounds face difficulties in choosing a mother tongue.
- Migrant families struggle with policies favoring local languages.
Broader Implications
- Socioeconomic Mobility:
- English is viewed as a pathway to socioeconomic mobility, influencing the trend towards English-medium education.
- Policy Considerations:
- A Supreme Court judgment stated that NEP 2020 implementation isn't mandatory for states.
- The CBSE circular might enforce NEP guidelines, possibly limiting stakeholder aspirations.
