New Education Policy 2019( NEP)- Some key excerpts

Multi Language Orientation page 79 to 87 of Chapter 4.5

In summary this is what the policy says.

Three Language formula offering maximum flexibility will continue. This formula has been in existence from 1968, 1985 and later in all versions. Nothing new about it. It says children learn best in their mother tongue in the formative years and therefore should be taught in their mother tongue. Essentially this means that a child in TN would learn in Tamizh and a Child in Maharashtra would learn in Marathi.Can you now imagine that the child's mother who may have not finished education fully can now teach, instead 0f sending the child to tuitions. Anything wrong with it? NEP 2019 says, we must promote multi linguistic abilities.This includes learning for fun words in other languages like saying Vanakkam in Tamizh or Khem Cho in Gujarati. Nothing wrong with it. NEP says basic sciences should be taught in home language or regional language. It seems fine. NEP says let the children learn 3 languages plus they could learn additional language. It does not say which 3. It is flexible. So a child could learn a foreign language called English, learn Tamizh and Learn Gujarati or Kannnada where available.All it says is 3. The options are open. Sanskrit has been bought into the definition of Schedule 8 , I guess of the constitution as additional language over 3.. Ok heavens are not falling NEP offers elective foreign language like French and Chinese. NEP mentions in many places that in a state like UP, there must be taught classical literature from Sangam period of Tamizh Nad or Kamba Ramayanam or Classical Malayalam literature in the home language of UP which is Hindi. By the same argument a child in Kerela or Tamizh Nad could learn classical literature of Kalidasa or Modern literature or Urdu literature or UP or Valmiki Ramayana in their home language Tamizh of Malayalam. This is cross pollination and only enriches intellect and helps a child to appreciate. Cross Osmosis. NEP also says that only 15 % of India speaks English and it is the language of the economic elite. However it must be taught because it is the universal language. Having said that native languages must be protected and cherished. It also talks about protecting Pali and Prakrit besides other languages including tribal languages. Imagine a child getting an opportunity to learn Kok Borok of Tripura. I did not realise such a language existed until a few years ago when a Gentleman from Maharashtra learnt that language for his work in Tripura. It also says as the result of English being thrust many children learn in English without understanding it, since it is alien.

Sometimes it is funny, that a person from Kerela will speak to a person from Andhra in English. Why invoke a language from afar to speak to your next door neighbor. This policies will solve that problem.

What is funny, is that the NEP was formulated by men and women of eminence from all parts of the country from south to north. It includes a section on education for minorities.

There are many other good things there like modular education to remove exam stress, differential learning ability to drop out and drop in. There are suggestions to how to make school education holistic to cover all needs while giving flexibility. It also reminds us of our ancient heritage, great universities of past, Indian mathematics where solutions were given by just reciting the phrases.

Are we all as citizens not smart enough to read the policy in full to comprehend? We must read instead of being told.