NEP 2020: The Three-language Formula

One remarkable aspect of the National Education Policy 2020 that raised our eyebrows was the emphasis it laid on home language education. While the nation is debating over its pros and cons, the three-language formula—as usual—has attracted criticism from various quarters in Tamil Nadu. So, what does NEP 2020 say about language? Actually, it says a lot. A quick search revealed that the word “language(s)” has 204 mentions in the body section of the policy that runs up to 60 pages.

Below are the other words related to language and their number of mentions in the body section of the policy.

Why has Sanskrit got 20 mentions?

NEP 2020 claims Sanskrit to be a “modern language” language. It envisages to bring Sanskrit into the mainstream, on par with other languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. Sanskrit teachers in large numbers are to be professionalised across the country in “mission mode” through the offering of 4-year integrated multidisciplinary B.Ed. dual degrees in education and Sanskrit.

Why has Hindi got only 1 mention?

Maybe because Hindi was the only language in which NEP 2020 was released, besides English.

In case you want to know where, the only place Hindi finds a mention is in the sixth chapter titled “Equitable and Inclusive Education: Learning for All” where financial assistance has been promised to "alternative forms of schools" to introduce “science, mathematics, social studies, Hindi, English, State languages, or other relevant subjects in the curriculum,” as may be desired by those schools.

Does the three-language formula favour Hindi/Sanskrit, (in)directly?

Now, here’s the tricky part.

According to NEP 2020, “The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.”

English language is not native to India. So, a child in Tamil Nadu (in the event of the state adopting the three-language formula as laid down in NEP 2020, which is unlikely) cannot choose a combo of Tamil, English and Japanese. (S)he’ll have to learn an Indian language apart from Tamil and English.

Can a Tamil kid choose to learn Tamil, Malayalam and English? 

Potentially, yes. States have been encouraged to enter into bilateral agreements with each other to facilitate exchange of language faculty. However, other Indians states had had followed the old three-language formula that made Hindi mandatory. So, if TN wishes to exchange its Tamil language teachers with Kerala for their Malayalam language teachers, the Keralites can afford to politely turn down the offer by saying that they have sufficient Hindi and Sanskrit language teachers to implement the new three-language formula, and that they do not need any Tamil language teachers.

What if Tamil Nadu adopts the three-language formula as laid down in NEP 2020?

That’s unlikely to happen. Being a “what if” question, I’ll propose my theory. TN can enter into bilateral agreements with other non-Hindi states for exchange of language faculty, but that will be seen as a deliberate attempt to boycott Hindi and Sanskrit. The feasible option would be to introduce Hindi and/or Sanskrit language in the curriculum, owing to the number of existing qualified teachers of those languages in the state. In other words, the three-language formula—if implemented in TN as laid down in NEP 2020—would come as a boon to the Hindi and Sanskrit language teachers, as more avenues would open up for them in the state.

Should Tamil Nadu implement the three-language formula?

Learning any language broadens the horizon of its learners. However, the discrimination made between native and foreign languages in NEP 2020 restricts the students’ choices. The fear over detention is a major cause for concern, besides the learning burden it may place.

If Tamil Nadu wishes to implement a three-language formula, students should be given—at the least—the choice between one Indian language and one foreign language as the third language. For example, a school shall offer Hindi (Indian language) and Japanese (foreign language), apart from Tamil and English. Each student shall choose between Hindi and Japanese as his/her third language. More the languages made available, more the choices be available for children.

No-detention policy should be adopted for the third language. At the time of leaving Class 8, the students shall be given the option of testing their proficiency in their respective third language. This shall be done in tie-up with a(n) (inter)nationally recognized institute, such as the Goethe-Institut (German) and Dakshina Bharat Hindi Prachar Sabha (Hindi), which also shall certify the children.

Denying the opportunity to learn a third language is as detrimental as imposing one.