Context:
CBSE instructed schools to focus on teaching children in their mother tongue in line with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2022.
National Education Policy 2020:
- Emphasizes the importance of multilingualism and encourages the teaching of regional languages alongside English and Hindi with the much-needed flexibility.
- Advocates for mother tongue education until at least Grade 5, preferably extending to Grade 8 and beyond
- Sanskrit to be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the 3-language formula.
Other provisions or schemes promoting mother language:
- Article 350A of the Constitution – Mandates state to provide primary education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups in mother tongue.
- Section 29 of Right to Education Act, 2009 – As far as possible, medium of instruction in education should be in mother tongue
- NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) – Foundational literacy and Numeracy program promoting teaching in mother tongue, regional language, and home language.
- International Mother Language Day (21st February) – Initiated by Bangladesh and recognized by UNESCO in 1999.
- Yuelu Proclamation by UNESCO – Protection and promotion of linguistic diversity.
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2021 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. International Mother Language Day is a worldwide annual observance held on 21 February by UNESCO
