CBSE encourages schools to promote Indian languages.

CBSE’s decision to promote Indian languages in schools was praised by Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and UGC Chief M Jagadesh Kumar.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has encouraged its affiliated schools to teach Indian languages in their classes, especially up to grade 5. This statement was issued on the occasion of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 completing three years.

CBSE cited NEP 2020, which emphasizes the cognitive advantages of multilingualism for young learners, especially when they are exposed to multiple languages from a young age, with a particular emphasis on their mother tongue. The policy strongly advocates for using the home language, mother tongue, local language, or regional language as the medium of instruction whenever feasible, at least until grade 5, but preferably until grade 8 and beyond.

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CBSE has encouraged affiliated schools to adopt NCERT books, which are now being made available in 22 scheduled Indian languages, as instructed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.

“CBSE affiliated schools may consider using Indian languages, as listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, as the medium of instruction from the Foundational Stage to the end of the Secondary Stage, i.e., from pre-primary classes to class XII, as an optional medium in addition to other existing options. Schools may explore the available resources, consult with experts in the field, and collaborate with other schools to share best practices in order to make multilingual education a reality in CBSE schools,” the official notice stated.

Following the notice, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also praised CBSE for its decision. “I congratulate CBSE for providing the option of education in Indian languages from kindergarten to class 12 in all its schools,” he tweeted. “In line with the vision of NEP, this will promote Indian language-based education in schools. This is a good start toward better educational outcomes.”

UGC Chairman M Jagadesh Kumar also praised CBSE’s decision. “The school and higher education systems working together to promote Indian languages in education will provide a steady stream of students to Higher Educational Institutions who can think and work in Indian languages, making them creative and innovative,” he tweeted.

BSE has encouraged affiliated schools to teach Indian languages in their classes, especially up to grade 5. This is in line with the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes the cognitive advantages of multilingualism for young learners. CBSE has also made NCERT books available in 22 scheduled Indian languages, and has encouraged schools to explore the available resources, consult with experts, and collaborate with other schools to make multilingual education a reality in CBSE schools.