 LANGUAGES IN EDUCATION

THE ARGUMENT

1. The National Policy on Education (NPE) 1986 had indicated policy guidelines for development of Hindi, Regional Languages, Sanskrit and classical languages as well as International languages. These guidelines envisaged erergetic development of Indian languages and literature, adoption of regional languages as media of education at the University stage,implementation of Three Language Formula involving study of Modern Indian Languages, improvement of languages proficiency of students, development of Hindi as a link language, and strengthening of the study of English and other International languages.

2. The NPE-86 reiterated the provisions relating to languages included in the policy of 1968 with the recommendations for more energetic and purposeful implementation, The NPE-86 envisaged periodic reviews every five years of the implementation of its various parameters. Accordingly, the Government of India appointed a Committee for review of National Policy on Education 1986 (NPERC), which has generally endorsed the policy formulation on languages contained in the NPE-86.

3. Most of the suggestions made by the NPERC on promotion and developments of languages are in the direction of more energetic and more systematic implementation The recommendations are generally in the nature of specific action points or set of projects/corrective measures necessary for implementation of the language policy rather than a statement of policy itself.

4. However, so far as implementation strategy is concerned, the NPERC has made some specific recommendations which are outlined below;

(i) The Three Language Formula (TLF)

Uniform and rationalised implementation of TLF as enunciated in the NPE-68 and reiterated by the NPE 86 since

it has stood the test of time . For this purpose following steps in the area of language teaching, training of language teachers, curriculum development etc. have been suggested:

(a) Proper coordination between kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Central Institute of English and Foreign languages , Central Institute of Indian languages., Central Board of Secondary Education and National Council of Educational Research and Training for ensuring uniformity in acquisition of language competency in the school system;

(b) Central Institute of Indian Languages may be converted into an autonomous body and its language teachers Training Programme may be strengthened;

(c) Improvement in English Language competency through strengthening of Central Institute of English and Foreign. Languages (CIEFL), Regional Institute of English (RIEs), English Language Training Institutes (ELTIs) and District Centres.

(ii) Language Media, for Higher Education

Universities must be entrusted with the responsibility of production of University level books in order to facilitate media switch over to regional languages. Also option to appear in examinations in regional languages media, at all levels should be made available to the students; and teaching of Indian literature in the Indian languages should be encouraged.

(iii) Development of Hindi as per Article 351 of the Constitution.

a) Merger of Central Hindi Directorate (CHD), Kendriya Hindi Sansthan (KHS) & Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology (CSTT) into a single Institution with a senior Hindi Scholar as its Chairman.

b) Special encouragement to study of Sanskrit and other languages in the school system in view of Article 351 of the Constitution.

contd/-

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(iv)Sanskrit;Maintenance and Coordination of Academic Standards

Creation of National level Commission to lay down, maintain _ coordinate the academic standards for Sanskrit education as a whole.

(V) Article 350 A: Instruction in the Mother Tongue Problem of the Urdu speaking people and development of Urdu

* Acceptance of formula suggested for opening Urdu medium schools/classes at primary and secondary levels as recommended by the Committee on Promotion of Urdu (Known as Gujaral Committee) and recently endorsed by the Jatari Committee has been recommended,

* Autonomous status for Bureau for Promotion of Urdu (BPU) as recommended by the Jafari Committee.

(vi) Development of Sindhi and other Inter-State languages

* A Sindhi Vikas Board should be set up considering its inter-state character & Its inclusion in the Eighth schedule or the constitution,

* Measures for other inter state languages like Gorkhali, Santhali, Maithili and Bhojpuri should be taken

(vii) National Level facility for training in Translation

A Central Translation Bureau as national level facility preferably as a part of CIIL for purpose of imparting training in the methodologies of translation should be created.

(viii) Fresh Linguestic Survey of India should be conducted.

(ix) Use of Technology for Languages Development

Greater involvement of Department of Education and Language Institutions in the project of 'Technology Development for Indian Languages'(TDIL) of Department of Electronics.

ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATIONS

As already stated earlier, most of the recommendations made by the National Policy on Education Review Committee are covered by policy statements on languages contained in the National Policy on Education 1986 and are in the nature of suggestions for more effective implementation of the policy formulation on languages in the NPE 86. The Department of Education and its language Institutions like Kendirya Hindi Sansthan(KHS), Central Hindi Directorate(CHD), Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology(CSTT), Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan(RSS) and Central Institute of English and foreign languages(CIE&FL) have been taking various measures for implementation of various programmes and schemes in pursuance to NPE 86, for development and promotion of languages. Many of these measures have been re-iterated by the NPERC. In the succeeding paras these reccommendations have been analysed briefly in the light of the views of/action taken by the Department/Language Institutions.

RECOMMENDATION NO.235

Three Language Formula (TLF)

Government is committed to implementation of Three Language Formula(TLF) as enunciated in the NPE 68 and subsequently endorsed in the NPE 86, Even the NPERC has found it time-tested and no change in the formula has been suggested. However, for effective implementation of TLF some recommendations addressed to Language Institutions with a view to improve language teachers training programmes- both qualitatively and quantitatively; improve language proficiency, have been recommended. Some measures in this direction have already been initiated as given below:

i) Coordination amongst language institutions:

Coordination of the activities of Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages, Central Institute of Indian Languages Central Board of Secondary Education and the National Council of Educational

Research and Training is done through a Committee in NCERT. Efforts are being made to further strengthen it.

ii) Conversion of CIIL into an autonomous body:

some of the language institutions like Kendriya Hindi Sanstha, Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan are already enjoying autonomous status* Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages is a 'deemed university'. The Ministry is also of the view that academic bodies like the CIIL and BPU ought to be given autonomous status in order that they may function more effectively. The question of giving autonomous status to the Bureau for Promotion of Urdu is already under consideration, and similar action is proposed to be initiated now in respect of the CIIL.

iii) English language competency:

For improvement in English language competency, efforts are already being made in this direction through the Central Institute of English and Foreign Languages; Regional Institutes of English, English Language Teaching Institutes and District Centres. The specific recommendations made by the Ramamurti Committee for reactivating and strengthening the RIEs and the ELTIs are appropriate and should be acted upon, On some of these points action has already been initiated on the basis of independent review in consultation with the CIEFL.

RECOMMENDATION NO.236,237 & 238

Switchover of language media

The Commission for scientific and Technical

Terminology has already brought out 9276 university level books in Hindi and other regional languages with the support of State Granth Academies. They are also organising orientation programmes for university teachers for switchover of media regional languages.

The suggestion of the NPERC regarding participation of Universties/States in production of Text books in regional languages with a view to expedite switch over of media to regional languages has been forwarded to UGC and the concerned implementing authorities

RECOMMENDATION NO.239

Development of Hindi

The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology and the Central Hindi Directorate are specialised agencies in their respective fields of work. The Kendriya Hindi Sansthan conducts training programmes for Hindi teachers from non-Hindi speaking States as well as teach Hindi to foreigners, The Central Hindi Directorate and Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology have been set up by the Government in pursuance of Article 351 of the Constitution which envisages promotion, development and popularisation of Hindi language. The functions of these organisations are, however, separate. The Central Hindi Directorate is engaged in preparation of bilingual/trilingual/ multi-lingual dictionaries with Hindi as the base, whereas the Commission for Scientific and Technical Terminology is coining scientific and technical terminology in different languages and producing

university level books for switchover of language media, Merger of these organisations would* therefore, not be desirable. The proposed single institution after merger of three is likely to be very unwieldy and may create administrative problems due to change of service conditions etc. Moreover, the thrust of the special objectives being pursued by these organisations would be diffused.

RECOMMENDATION NO.240 & 241

Sanskrit and Classical Languages

Constitution of a Statutory Commission at the National Level for the promotion & development and maintenance of educational standards of Sanskrit & Classical Languages* is already under the active consideration of the Ministry, Even before the receipt of the Committee's Report, the Government had started examining the question of a national level statutory body to oversee and support the development of Sanskrit and other classical languages* A Committee of Sanskrit Scholars and educationists set up by the Ministry has recommended that a statutory commission at national level be set up.

RECOMMENDATION NO, 242 & 243

Instructions in mother tonque(Article 350 A)

Constitutional safeguard and guidelines already exist in this regard and these are being enforced by the Commissioner f or Linguistic Minorities under the Ministry of Welfare, In so far as Urdu is concerned, the matter has been studied in depth by a Committee of Experts set up to examine implementation of recommendations of Gujral Committee for promotion of Urdu.

The matter has also received consideration of the Group on Minorities Education which was set up in the Department of Education. This matter is, now under consideration of the Government.

RECOMMENDATION NO.244

Sindhi Vikas Board

Although the Goverment has already approved in principle, the setting up of a Sindhi Vikas Board# it has not been possible to give effect to this decision due to economic constraints, However, Sindhi Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of the Ministry of Human Resource Development already exists and is available for any advice on promotion of Sindhi language, This Committee is being given secretarial support by the Central Hindi Directorate

Central Institute of Indian Languages is also implementing programmes for development of inter-State languages like Sindhi and Urdu.

RECOMMENDATION NO. 245

National Level Facility for Training in Translation.

Kendriya Hindi Sansthan has been conducting training programmes/courses for Hindi Translators. Also, as suggested in programme of action# CIIL has been enstrusted with the responsibility of imparting training in the methodologies of translation.

RECOMMENDATION NO.246

Linguistic Survey of India

Collection of data in respect of languages takes place as a part of activites of various governmental and non- governmental organisations. These include Registrar General of Census Operations, Anthropological Survey of India(ASI) and various Institutions of education and research. Data required for study of languages and allied issues can be collected through these agencies. Keeping in view the sharp differences of opinion on issue of languages and the possibility of misuse being made of a survey as well as gigantic nature of the task involved it is not considered necessary to undertake such a survey

RECOMMENDATION NO.247

Use of Technology for Language Development

Department of Education is already participating in the project 'Technology Development for Indian Languages' (TDIL) of Department of Electronics, CIIL, KHS and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Rashtri Sanskrit Vidyapeetha have been implementing some schemes under this project. Involvement of other language Institutions in the project is also being explored.

summary

* No change in policy suggested by the NPERC.

* The NPERC recommendations regarding languages are of operational nature.

* Stand on TLF endorsed by the NPERC.

* Entrusting Universities/States with the responsibility of production of Text-books as recommended by the NPERC is accepted.

* Instructions at primary level through medium of mother tongue,

* Creation of National level Commission for promotion development and maintenance of educational standards of Sanskrit and Classical Languages.

* Setting up of Sindhi Vikas Board - accepted in principle.

* Not accepted-

(a) Linguistic survey

(b) Merger of the three Hindi Institutions set up for distinct purposes.

* As most of the recommendations relate to programmes and activities of the Languages Institutions, these will be taking appropriate action thereon.