In the context of India's commitment to multilingualism in education, which of the following statements best reflects the constitutional mandate, educational policy approach, and implementation challenges of promoting mother tongue-based instruction at the foundational level?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Solution: The correct answer is The National Education Policy 2020 encourages mother tongue or regional language as the medium of instruction at least until Grade 5, preferably till Grade 8, for all children, aligning with Article 350A, though actual implementation faces linguistic diversity and resource constraints.
Explanation:
☛ NEP 2020 Recommendation: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes that wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, and preferably up to Grade 8 and beyond, should be the mother tongue, local language, or regional language.
☛ Constitutional Backing: Article 350A of the Indian Constitution directs every State and local authority to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.
☛ Implementation Challenges: India's vast linguistic diversity, presence of multiple dialects in a single classroom, and acute shortage of textbooks and trained teachers in indigenous languages present significant implementation hurdles.
Extra Exam-Relevant Facts:
☛ Article 350A & 350B: These Articles were inserted into the Constitution of India by the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 on the recommendation of the States Reorganisation Commission.
☛ Article 350B: Mandates the appointment of a Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities by the President of India.
☛ Article 29(1): Confers the fundamental right on any section of citizens residing in India having a distinct language, script, or culture to conserve the same.
☛ Three-Language Formula: It was first introduced by the Kothari Commission (1964–66) and incorporated in the National Policy on Education 1968; NEP 2020 retains it with flexible choices, stating that no language will be imposed on any State.
Important One-Liners for Upcoming Exams:
☛ Which Constitutional Amendment inserted Article 350A into the Constitution? → 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956
☛ Under which Article is the Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities appointed? → Article 350B
☛ Which Commission first recommended the Three-Language Formula in India? → Kothari Commission (1964–66)
☛ Which Part of the Indian Constitution deals with the Official Language (Articles 343 to 351)? → Part XVII
☛ How many languages are currently listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution? → 22 languages