In a significant stride towards promoting education in mother tongues, the Indian government has unveiled a landmark initiative introducing schooling in 52 non-scheduled Indian languages, including 17 tribal languages. In accordance with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched this initiative to give students from various regions of the country access to education in their native languages.
By offering early childhood education in a diverse range of languages, the government aims to foster a sense of cultural pride and inclusivity among students while also addressing the linguistic diversity prevalent across the nation. In addition to the introduction of schooling in non-scheduled Indian languages, Minister Pradhan announced several other initiatives aimed at enhancing the quality and accessibility of education in the country.
This includes the upgrading of all 613 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETS) to "DIETS of Excellence," the establishment of National Professional Standards for Teachers, and the launch of the National Mission for Mentoring. Furthermore, the integration of the National Vidya Samiksha Kendra and 200 TV DTH channels into the education system will facilitate the implementation of the NEP across various states and union territories.
The government's commitment to promoting education in Indian languages is also reflected in the efforts of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), which has begun creating study materials in native languages to support the learning process. Minister Pradhan emphasised that education in Indian languages would not only contribute to academic excellence but also foster a "cultural renaissance" in the country.
He stressed the significance of 52 foundational texts written in various Indian languages. He portrayed these texts as catalysts for starting a new educational approach that embraces linguistic diversity. These endeavors, in his perspective, will establish the groundwork for an interconnected and forward-looking educational terrain, fostering comprehensive metamorphosis in educational institutions. As per sources within the Ministry of Education, the administration has designated financial support totaling Rs 9,000 crore for the inception of Institutes of Educational Training and Research of High Quality over the subsequent five years.
This funding, provided under the centrally sponsored Samagra Shiksha scheme, will support states and union territories in improving infrastructural facilities in educational institutions. Overall, the government's push for mother tongue education represents a significant step towards realising the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, as outlined in the NEP 2020.
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