In a diverse and culturally rich country like India, language is more than communication, it is the essence of our uniqueness. With the start of the New Education Policy (NEP) and recent initiatives like the NIPUN Bharat Mission which pressures the importance of using the mother tongue in the teaching-learning process and creating educational materials, we have an opportunity to develop education.
The introductory years of education lay the foundation for a child’s future academic growth. It is imperative that children gain and develop their Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) skills, and language should not delay the development of these crucial skills. Neuroscientific research reveals that more than 85 per cent of a person’s brain development happens before the age of six. It is during this crucial phase that children develop cognitive skills, linguistic abilities, and a deep understanding of their surroundings. The NEP’s stress on including regional languages as a medium of instruction serves many important purposes.
Initially, embracing regional languages raises inclusivity and makes Right to Education under Article 21A ‘substantive right’ for far too long, English has been excessively highlighted in the Indian education system, often separating those from non-English speaking backgrounds, by offering education in regional languages, the NEP breaks down language barriers, making education reachable to a wider audience and confirming that no child feels left behind.
Secondly, learning in one’s mother tongue has a profound effect on a child’s cognitive development. Studies have constantly shown that children learn best when they are taught in a language, they are most comfortable with. During introductory learning, using regional languages will help children to grasp FLN concepts more efficiently, ensuing in improved retention and comprehension.
Accepting regional languages in education helps to preserve India’s linguistic heritage, with over 22 officially recognized languages and hundreds of dialects, each with its own exclusive cultural and historical significance, language is an important feature of our identity.
Additionally, learning regional languages early will develops a child’s overall language proficiency. Studies indicate that multilingual individuals tend to have stronger communication skills, greater flexibility, and improved cognitive abilities, preparing our children to thrive in an increasingly interconnected and diverse world. Finally, we must implement Language Enrichment for Advancing Progress (LEAP). By encouraging multilingualism and providing enough training and resources to teachers, LEAP will help to improve FLN skills and cognitive development, develop linguistic ability and creates a more socially rich and intellectually motivating educational environment.
