Education in English language has sacrificed the heritage of many languages in our country
Education in English language has slowly sacrificed the heritage of many languages in our country. Among the most prevalent languages and dialects in India, about 573 languages have become extinct. These are languages that are no longer spoken or studied in india. Of these there were many languages and dialects. in which they have no record of letters or words.
Other languages, once dominant languages, have been overtaken by society and changing culture. Our mother tongue is our responsibility. So we all should unite with the government to maintain our mother tongue and culture.
In schools affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education, it has been notified through a circular dated July 21 to use mother tongue or regional language as an optional medium from Pre-Primary to Class XII.
This step has been taken in accordance with the New Education Policy 2020 of the Government of India. Educationists, intellectuals, social scientists and psychologists in the country have welcomed this change in the education policy of the Government of India. The biggest reason for this move is; It will cover almost all the five approaches to education.
It will be useful in leading students to constructivist, collaborative and inquiry-based approaches. Our Prime Minister justified that the use of mother tongue in the education of the National Education Policy 2020 will be a form of justice for the students of India and a significant step in the social sphere.
Language plays an important role in shaping human character. Not only the development of cognitive ability, mental motor skills, but also the proper mental structure and imparting important insights is the main focus of language. Education in the mother tongue is important in the early years of every tender child’s education.
That is why according to Article 350-A of our Constitution, ‘It shall be the endeavor of every State and every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage to children belonging to linguistic minorities. The State will make every effort to implement this work.
”Therefore, schools under the State Board of Education had a system of teaching only in the mother tongue or the regional language. This change in CBSE education is definitely a right step by the Government of India. Once, Mahatma Gandhi said that if ‘English’ became the medium of communication and instruction everywhere, there would be a permanent barrier between the less educated and the less educated.
This will also hinder the development of knowledge in the entire country. Educated classes are burdened by giving more importance to English language. It weakens them psychologically and alienates them from their roots.’
Research has also revealed that education in the mother tongue accelerates the intellectual development of a tender child. Analytical, logical and comparative ability of the learner is enhanced by the mother tongue at the initial level. Mother tongue or what we call local language helps the child to fully discover his environment, society, culture.
A child first learns what he has and what is special about him through his mother and family. Understands what the environment is. Others in the family associate it with the prevailing culture of their society. By developing your knowledge in this way, it becomes easier to learn another language later on.
When a child has the burden of another language on his head, he turns away from reading or becomes mechanical. A proper, healthy mental development does not occur. In order to improve the quality of education, it is necessary to give priority to mother tongue education in language policy. Mother tongue is essential to ensure that the child does not drop out of school early and to keep the child engaged in school.
In English-dominated countries like our India, such a misconception has influenced many people that English education only makes a child smart and confident. But according to current researchers, education in the mother tongue from the primary level and gradually learning English or another language at a later stage, improves the child’s ability and comprehension.
This has also been proven by experts. English education from the grassroots level may improve a child’s English speaking skills, but the development of real English language skills is greater than that of a child who learns English only after learning English from the grassroots level in the mother tongue. Growth of ‘inquiry’ can only be achieved through primary education in the mother tongue.
The overemphasis on English has overburdened the educated class. Both life and livelihood are in balance and are becoming mentally weak. Later, they are completely separated from their own culture, environment and even their native land.
UNESCO has been celebrating the 21st of February as the International Mother Language Day since 1999 by making available the speciality of the mother tongue.UNESCO strives to promote multilingual education based on mother tongue. Greater commitment has been expressed by UNESCO to understand the importance of mother tongue in primary education and to develop it in public life.
Today, ‘Mother Language Education Method’ is a great initiative by the Government of India through CBSE. Therefore, there is a need for many books, textbooks, new teachers/students. In order to apply this philosophy, it should be carefully researched and implemented. It may take time to define this system in central and secondary schools under Government of India but it should not be too late.
Education in mother tongue is the birthright of every child. A new way of education in this way strengthens our cultural, social ethos. It is through the education of the mother tongue that the child is connected with his social system, geographical situation, surrounding environment, history and even mathematical skills. A better environment will also be created, where There will be love, tolerance and cooperation towards each other.