In young children, mother tongue is the key to learning

Dharmendra Pradhan

Bharat is a land where multiple languages not only coexist but thrive. It is a living embodiment of the profound sublimity of multilingualism. Our linguistic diversity forms a rich, intricate tapestry, weaving together our national identity while nurturing the country’s unity. This cultural strength was eroded under colonial rule. On February 2, 1835, Thomas Babington Macaulay presented a memorandum, known as “Macaulay’s Minute on Indian Education” to the Governor General of India, prioritising English over native tongues, with the intention of creating a class of Indians loyal to British interests, alienating generations from their cultural and linguistic roots.

Eighty per cent of Bharat’s population identifies itself as non-English, native language speakers. Mother tongue lies at the core of deep learning, because our languages are not just tools of communication — they are repositories of history, tradition and folklore, preserving the collective wisdom of generations and offering a unique worldview. Children, brimming with creativity and emotional intelligence, flourish when their education begins in their native language. A primer in their mother tongue builds a seamless bridge from the home to the classroom, guiding them from “mother” tongue to “other” tongue — transitioning from speaking to writing, vocabulary to semantics, and language to subject comprehension. As Rabindranath Tagore noted, “A child learns to speak not from textbooks, but from his mother.”

Education in the mother tongue fosters a natural progression from basic understanding to complex thought. Bharat’s linguistic diversity is a treasure-trove of both intellectual and cultural wealth. From the snow-capped peaks of Kashmir to the sun-drenched shores of Kanyakumari, and from the arid expanses of Kachchh to the verdant hills of Kohima, our languages encapsulate the inner essence of our people. Teaching children in their mother tongue not only preserves their connection to heritage but also equips them for the future. By laying down a robust foundation in native languages, we can empower children to master other languages and subjects with greater ease and comprehension.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 embraces this vision. Seeking to reclaim our linguistic heritage, NEP places the mother tongue at the heart of early education, acknowledging that language is not merely a tool for learning but a core component of shaping identity, building confidence and fostering cognitive development.

The NEP 2020 necessitates equitable access to high-quality teaching and learning materials in various Indian languages for greater learning outcomes. It puts a strong emphasis on the fusion of technology with education, particularly in the context of preserving and promoting the nation’s diverse linguistic heritage. There have been concerted efforts to create a robust ecosystem for promotion of Indian languages so as to make education inclusive — the Bhasha Sangam programme; Machine Translation Centre of the National Council of Educational Research and Training; the Anuvadini app-based translation of books, including technical books in multiple Indian languages by the All India Council for Technical Education; Augmenting Study Materials in Indian Languages through Translation and Academic Writing (ASMITA) initiative by the University Grants Commission and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti.

Besides, the government’s groundbreaking initiative to produce primers in 79 Indian languages is a monumental step forward, guaranteeing that children in rural, tribal, and remote areas receive quality education in their native tongues in their early years. These primers, alongside other educational materials, are more than just resources — they are gateways to creativity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.
Language shapes our thoughts, expresses our emotions, and connects us to our cultural roots. The NEP 2020 heralds a new era, where children can learn in their mother tongue and gradually master other languages. By decolonising our education system, we seek to nurture a generation of thinkers who will not only excel academically but also champion Bharat’s rich cultural heritage. This transformation is not merely a policy shift — it represents a cultural renaissance.

As we look to the future, Bharat’s linguistic diversity will be a cornerstone of educational excellence and socio-cultural and economic advancement. In this Amrit Kaal, as we pursue a Viksit Bharat agenda, our mother tongues are poised to become powerful vehicles of development. Let us make our linguistic heritage the fulcrum of our progress, as Bharat ascends on the global stage.

The writer is the Union Minister of Education. Views are personal