Er. Prabhat Kishore
UNESCO has declared 21st February as International Mother Language Day to promote the dissemination of mother languages and awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions around the world, and to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue. It believes that education based on the first language or mother language must begin from the early years, as Early Child Care & Education is the foundation of learning.
Mother language is usually the language that a child speaks at home with the family. Education in the mother language refers to when a school integrates the child’s language into classroom and school lessons. The mother language plays a vital role in the overall development of the personal, social, and cultural identity of human beings. Language may simply be a way to communicate with each other, but the mother language helps us stay connected with our roots and unique culture. Young children learn and grasp concepts more quickly when they are taught in their mother language because, when they develop their mother tongue, they simultaneously foster other basic skills like literacy and critical thinking.
A strong mother language foundation equips children with the skills required to learn a second or additional language. Cognitive as well as intellectual development is relatively faster when a person is proficient in the mother language. Children learning in their mother language feel comfortable in the school environment and learn faster. They have a better understanding of the curriculum and do not need to relearn skills when they transfer to a second language. Parent–child interaction also increases, as parents can assist with homework more easily. Knowing one’s mother language boosts confidence and increases self-esteem.
There is a long way to go before guaranteeing all children their right to education in their mother language. In most countries, the majority of learners are taught in a language other than their mother tongue, which compromises their ability to learn and understand effectively. Approximately 40% of the world’s population does not have access to education in a language they speak, understand, or communicate in. In our country, the “mother language” is often neglected and actively suppressed in the name of globalization. The present education system has largely ignored the mother language as the medium of instruction in schools, especially in English-medium institutions. Teachers at the local level are often not fluent in foreign languages. Consequently, they are neither able to transfer the required knowledge effectively, nor are learners in a position to grasp it fully, resulting in a knowledge deficit.
Children whose primary language is not the language of instruction in schools are more likely to drop out or fail in the early grades. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has emphasized its mandatory use in the education system at the foundational stage. Clause 4.11 of NEP 2020 states:
“Wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond, will be the mother tongue/home language/local language/regional language. Thereafter, the home/local language shall continue to be taught as a language wherever possible. High-quality textbooks, including in science, will be made available in the home language/mother tongue. Teachers will be encouraged to use a bilingual approach, including bilingual teaching-learning materials, with those students whose home language may be different from the medium of instruction.”
In Bharat, Matribhasha Diwas is celebrated every year in schools on this day to promote the use of the mother tongue with the following objectives:
(1) To highlight unity among the linguistic diversity in our country,
(2) To encourage the use not only of one’s own mother tongue but also other Indian languages,
(3) To understand diverse cultures in India and the various forms of literature, craft, performing arts, scripts, and other forms of creative expression.
The mother tongue can be used as an effective tool for learning and for developing holistic education and knowledge. The government should strictly implement provisions regarding the use of the mother language in all government and private schools across the country to safeguard the learning abilities of children.
