CBSE asks all Schools to focus on Multilingual Education as a Medium of Instructions

In line with the NEP 2020, to foster linguistic diversity, cultural understanding, and academic success among students, CBSE has issued a circular directing all schools to use the mother tongue as a medium of instruction.

On completion of three years of the National Education Policy 2020, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has issued a circular directing all the schools to use their mother tongue as a medium of instruction.

CBSE has asked its affiliated schools to consider using Indian languages, as enumerated in Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution, as the medium of Instruction from the Foundational Stage till the end of the Secondary Stage i.e. from pre-primary classes till class XII as an optional medium in addition to other existing options.
The board has suggested schools explore the available resources, consult with experts in the field, and collaborate with other schools to share best practices to make multilingual education in CBSE schools a reality.

The NEP emphasizes the significant cognitive advantages of multilingualism for young learners, particularly when they are exposed to multiple languages from the foundational stage, with a specific focus on their mother tongue. The policy strongly advocates for utilizing the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language as the medium of instruction whenever feasible, at least until Grade 5, but preferably extending till Grade 8 and beyond.

The implementation of mother tongue as a medium of instruction however poses several challenges such as the availability of skilled teachers capable of teaching in multilingual settings, the creation of high-quality multilingual textbooks, and the limited time available, especially in two-shift government schools, as multilingual education demands additional instructional time allocation.

To tackle these challenges, the Ministry of Education, Government of India has taken several measures to actualize education through the Indian language medium on the ground. One of the major steps taken now is the direction by the Ministry of Education to NCERT for preparing new textbooks through 22 scheduled Indian languages.

The CBSE Circular states, the NCERT has taken this serious task on the highest priority so that textbooks in 22 scheduled languages can be made available to all students from the next sessions. Higher Education has also started gearing up to produce textbooks in Indian languages, initiate the learning-teaching process through Indian language mediums in addition to English medium, and conduct examinations through Indian languages as well.

Read more:

• IIT Bombay students express solidarity with Manipur violence victims; Demands CM to Resign
• BHU opens UG Registration for new candidates; PG Registration from July 25