NEP does not impose one language on any state: MoS Education to LS

Union Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary on Monday said the National Education Policy (NEP) does not impose one language, including Hindi, on any state, rather it "explicitly promotes multilingualism".

Responding to supplementary questions in Lok Sabha during the Question Hour, the minister noted that while Tamil Nadu has expressed some objection to the NEP 2020, the central government has released Rs 538 crore to the state under the Samagra Shiksha, a flagship central school education programme.

"It is up to the state to follow established procedure and protocol in terms of expenditure, in terms of provision of UC (utilisation certificate) for further release," Chaudhary said.

 

The minister said there was "absolutely no imposition of any language."  "The three languages, as proposed in the NEP, align with the two-language formula... There is complete flexibility. There is no imposition of any language, including Hindi. It is up to the state to implement in toto."  The minister said paragraph 4.13 of the NEP explicitly promotes multilingualism, citing clear benefits for learning capacity and outcomes from early exposure to multiple languages.

It mandates states to develop school capacity for teaching three languages, ensuring proficiency in at least two languages native to India by age 15, with the third language left to local demand.

"So it is up to the states to really implement it," he explained.

Under the Samagra Shiksha, the government provides support for the appointment of teachers of languages, he said, adding that this was a new component added in the Samagra Shiksha 2.0.

On the release of central funds on education, Chaudhary said, "Tamil Nadu has certain reservations which they have expressed from time to time. Largely, they have brought it down to... diluted the NEP to a two-language formula and that is the basis of their objection."  "Tamil Nadu had earlier indicated it would sign the MoU for PM-SHRI, but the agreement remains unsigned. Let me remind the House that PM SHRI schools are exemplary institutions meant to demonstrate leadership and showcase the best elements of the NEP across school levels.

"If you agree with the national policy, you must support PM-SHRI, which is designed for more than 14,000 schools in the country... Many many lakhs of students of Tamil Nadu are feeling left out," the minister said.

The dispute with Tamil Nadu stems from the state's accusation that the Centre was withholding central education funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme over the state's objection to the NEP and the PM-SHRI schools in the state.