CBSE asks schools to use Indian languages as medium of instruction at all levels

NEW DELHI: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all schools to use Indian languages as mediums of instruction from pre-primary classes to Class 12. The board asked schools to use available resources and collaborate with each other to make the best out of the multilingual education.

Elaborating how the Ministry of Education, the National Council of Education, Research and Training (NCERT), and higher education have taken measures to introduce education in multiple languages under the National Education Policy, 2020, CBSE said, “In view of the above initiatives taken to facilitate education through Indian languages, the CBSE affiliated schools may consider using Indian languages, as enumerated in the Schedule 8 of the Indian Constitution, as the medium of Instruction from Foundational Stage till end of Secondary Stage i.e. from pre-primary classes till class XII as an optional medium in addition to other existing options.”

“Schools may explore the available resources, consult with experts in the field, and collaborate with other schools to share best practices to make multilingual education in CBSE schools a reality,” the board added.

Also Read | PGI Index 2021-22: Punjab, Chandigarh top in school education; no state in top four categories

Multilingual NCERT textbooks

CBSE explained the challenges posed by the implementation of multilingual education and utilization of mother tongue as a medium of instruction which include availability of skilled teachers capable of teaching multilingual subjects, the creation of high-quality multilingual textbooks, time limitation especially in two-shift government schools.

The board argued that the education ministry has taken several measures in view of the challenges and one of the major steps taken by the ministry is to direct NCERT to prepare 22 new multilingual textbooks. “The NCERT has taken this serious task on highest priority so that textbooks in 22 scheduled languages can be made available to all students from next sessions,” CBSE added.

The school education board went on to say that higher education has also started providing education in multiple languages and is conducting exams in different languages. The textbooks in technical, medical, vocational, skill, law education, etc. are now being available in Indian languages.

CBSE further said that this initiative makes it important for schools to become the foundation of multilingual education. “Since higher education has started responding to this need then school education has to become its foundation. The approach towards medium of instruction should be a continuity from school education to higher education. Therefore, the schools affiliated to CBSE need to play a vital role in this great endeavour by offering education through Indian languages,” it said.