Clarifying its stance on the three-language formula outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP), the Union government has stated that no language will be imposed on any state. In a written reply tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar said that the selection of the three languages will be entirely up to the states and students, as long as at least two of the chosen languages are native to India.
The response came to a question raised by CPM Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas, amid ongoing tensions between the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government over the implementation of the NEP.
Tamil Nadu has opted to continue with its two-language policy, accusing the Centre of attempting to impose Hindi through the three-language formula. Chief Minister MK Stalin has also alleged that over Rs 2,000 crore in central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan have been withheld due to the state’s refusal to adopt the NEP in its current form.
However, the Centre has defended the policy, stating that the three-language formula in NEP 2020 is based on research indicating that children acquire languages quickly.
Minister Majumdar emphasised that children will be introduced to multiple languages early on, with a focus on the mother tongue, starting from the foundational stage of education.
“Children will be exposed to different languages policy early on (but with a particular emphasis on mother tongue), starting from the Foundational Stage onwards,” Minister Majumdar said quoting from the NEP.