A COMMON PATTERN OF EDUCATION :
STRUCTURE, CONTENT AND 
CURRICULUM AND 
VOCATIONALISATION
 

The responses, suggestions and recommendations received from various educational institutions regarding language theme in New Education Policy include the following issues :

1. Three language formula

2. Its introduction at various, levels

3. Hindi as a national language

4. Medium of Instruction; and

5. Study of languages and national unity.

Majority of the institutions have accepted the three language formula - Mother tongue, Hindi and English in that order. However, there is a minority but strong, opinion that the three language policy would be a hurdle rather than a help to bring about a uniform language policy and thereby promote national unity and integrity. They feel that "instead of three-language policy, two language policy (mother tongue and English) should prevail in education. Towards this end, it is suggested that facilities for education through one's mother tongue from primary to highest level should be made available and proper teaching of English as link and international language to be ensured from primary upto highest level.

There seems to be different views regarding the implementation of three language formula at various levels. While the misgivings about the implementation of the three language formula is universal, some feel that it should be implemented right from Balwadi stage with mother tongue coming first. Similar differences are observed about the stage/class for the introduction of the other two languages besides mother tongue. One suggestion is that: "at no stage two new languages should be introduced. The second language may be introduced in Class IV and the third language may be introduced in class V". This was supported by another by stating that : "the second and third languages should not be introduced simultaneously in one class. There are research evidences to show that the burden of learning another language is less heavy, if it is taught at an early age. As such, the introduction of the second and third languages should be made in the light of these considerations".

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There was also a suggestion for a uniform language formula to be developed with regional language as the medium of instruction and Hindi as the second and English as the third language. In Hindi areas, Hindi will be the first language and a South Indian language the second and English the third language. One institution has advocated that English should be the second language. Some of the institutions also suggested that Sanskrit should be taught for 3 to 4 years at, high school level.

As far as making Hindi as the national and link language, there are three trends of opinions. The dominent trend is in favour of this, while the opinion. from the southern states is in favour of English. They link. the place of Hindi with the three language formula and accord Hindi the third place, largely because of the lukewarm attitude adopted in the northern states towards the implementation of the three language formula.

Medium of Instruction

Regarding the medium of instruction there seems to be almost complete agreement that mother tongue or regional language should be the medium of instruction. It is emphasized that primary education should be imparted through the child's mother-tongue only with a further suggestion that English-medium schools should be abolished. Some of them have suggested regional-language as the medium of instruction in higher educational levels also. Some feel that medium of instruction should be the mother-tongue at least upto standard V from where English medium choice can be given to take examinations in regional languages. It was felt that English-medium schools would only be necessary in such localities like Taluk or District headquarters for linguistic minority groups and Central Government staff.

One of the educational institutions suggested that the medium of instruction in the first two years of the school in the tribal areas should be the tribal language and books should be specially prepared in these languages using the script of the regional language.

Language and National unity

Although not raised from the point of view of medium of instruction, most of the educational institutions and educational and non-educational professional bodies feel that a study of languages

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like Sanskrit would serve as a cementing factor of national unity. Sanskrit, it is felt unfolds India's glorious past, a. past rich for its culture, philosophy, religious tolerance, etc. The study of Hindi as a link language is also advanced with the same perspective.