Regional Language Education
UGC Focus 2023

Introduction

India is home to 398 languages, isn’t that a huge number?

In this multilingual and multicultural context, the promotion of regional languages in education has always been a key priority for policymakers and educators. 

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of India, the apex body that regulates higher education in the country, has recognized the importance of regional languages in education and has made several moves in recent years to encourage the use of mother tongue/local language as the medium of instruction in higher education. 

These efforts have aimed to enable students from diverse linguistic backgrounds to pursue higher education in their mother tongue and to promote cultural and linguistic diversity in the Indian higher education system.

This article explores various moves made by the UGC to promote learning in regional languages and how it will impact the Indian higher education system.

Before we go ahead with exploring the moves made by UGC to promote learning in regional languages, let’s go through some of the key advantages of learning through regional languages.

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Advantages of learning in regional language

Advantages of Learning in Regional Languages

Promoting learning in regional languages can bring numerous advantages, both for students and the wider society. Here are some key advantages of promoting learning in regional languages:

1. Students learn better when taught in a regional language:

Various studies have shown that students learn better when they are taught in their mother tongue or a language, they are comfortable with. In other words, the learning outcome is best when students study in their mother tongue. Using regional languages as a medium of instruction can improve student engagement, motivation, and comprehension, leading to better learning outcomes.

2. Language is no more a restriction to learning when courses are taught in the native language:

For many students from non-English-speaking backgrounds, language can be a barrier to accessing higher education. Promoting learning in regional languages can make education more accessible to students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, thereby promoting greater equity and inclusivity in education.

3. Preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity:

Over 11 native Indian languages are now extinct. India is a linguistically and culturally diverse country, and promoting learning in regional languages can help preserve and promote this diversity. It can also promote greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures and identities.

4. Development of local knowledge systems, preserving what we have and innovation further

Regional languages often have their own unique knowledge systems, such as local traditions, practices, and beliefs. Promoting learning in regional languages can help preserve and promote these local knowledge systems, which can contribute to the development of new ideas and innovations.

5. Enhanced communication and social cohesion

Learning regional languages can help bridge the gap between different linguistic communities, promoting greater communication and social cohesion. It can also help reduce the dominance of English in education and society, which can help reduce linguistic inequalities and promote greater inclusivity.

Let’s have a look at how the UGC is emphasizing teaching in local languages, and how this is backed by AICTE, and NEP to create an ecosystem that supports teaching in regional languages.

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The focus of UGC on teaching in regional languages can be seen in the form of following trends of UGC guideline

1) UGC chairman suggests allowing students to write the exam in their regional language even if the language of instruction is English

The UGC chairman’s suggestion to allow students to write exams in regional languages even for English medium courses is a positive step towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in higher education. It recognizes the fact that many students may not be comfortable with English as a medium of instruction and may perform better if they are allowed to use their mother tongue or a language, they are more comfortable with.

By allowing students to write exams in regional languages, universities can also reduce language barriers and promote greater access to higher education for students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. This can contribute to the development of a more equitable and inclusive education system that benefits all students.

It is also important to note that promoting regional languages in higher education can help preserve and promote linguistic and cultural diversity, which is a valuable asset for the country. It can also promote the development of local knowledge systems and innovations, which can contribute to the overall growth and development of the country.

2) UGC promotes learning in regional languages and shows a willingness to prepare around 1500 books in regional languages in different disciplines for improving learning outcome

The UGC’s move to promote early learning in regional languages and prepare around 1500 books in regional languages in different disciplines is a commendable step towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in education. This initiative recognizes the importance of promoting education in regional languages and the role it can play in improving learning outcomes for students.

By preparing books in regional languages, the UGC can make education more accessible to students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, thereby promoting greater equity and inclusivity in education. This can also contribute to the preservation and promotion of linguistic and cultural diversity in India, which is a valuable asset for the country.

Moreover, promoting early learning in regional languages can have long-lasting benefits for students, including improved cognitive development, better academic performance, and greater confidence and self-esteem. This can contribute to the overall growth and development of the country and help build a more skilled and educated workforce.

In line with the same, the UGC chairman has sent a letter to colleges regarding teaching in mother tongue/ local languages in Higher education institutes.

Key insights

In the 100th Edition of Mann Ki Baat, The Prime Minister of India mentioned about the National Education Policy, Local Indian Languages and technology integration which further emphasizes the importance of the topic.

Did you know?

The UGC used to release its annual report only in English till the year 2008, the first report in Hindi version was released in 2008. Starting from 2011, the report is published in both English and Hindi languages.

3) UGC intends to launch UG and PG courses in regional languages

The UGC’s plan to launch undergraduate and postgraduate courses in regional languages is a significant step towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in higher education. This initiative recognizes the fact that many students may not be comfortable with English as a medium of instruction and may perform better if they are allowed to use their mother tongue or a language, they are more comfortable with.

By offering courses in regional languages, universities can also promote greater access to higher education for students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, thereby contributing to the development of a more equitable and inclusive education system. This can also help reduce language barriers and promote greater communication and social cohesion between different linguistic communities.

Moreover, offering courses in regional languages can promote the development of local knowledge systems and innovations, which can contribute to the overall growth and development of the country. It can also help preserve and promote valuable linguistic and cultural diversity in India, which is a key asset for the country.

Key insights

MBA is one of the most opted postgraduate programs, the initial thoughts are already here regarding MBA courses in regional languages in the top tier institutes like IIMs.

5) Teaching through Indian regional languages remains a focus, right from NEP, 2020

The National Education Policy 2020 of India places a strong emphasis on promoting teaching and learning in Indian languages. This initiative recognizes the importance of linguistic diversity and the role it can play in improving learning outcomes for students. Here are some key points related to this:

Medium of instruction:

The policy emphasizes the use of the mother tongue or regional language as a medium of instruction at least until Grade 5, and preferably until Grade 8 and beyond. This can help improve learning outcomes and cognitive development, as students are able to comprehend concepts better in a language, they are comfortable with.

Multilingualism:

The policy recognizes the importance of multilingualism and encourages students to learn at least three languages, including their mother tongue, a regional language, and English.

Curriculum development:

The policy calls for the development of high-quality, multilingual educational resources and materials to support teaching and learning in Indian languages. It also recommends the translation of existing materials into different Indian languages.

Promotion of Indian languages:

The policy seeks to promote the use and development of Indian languages by establishing language institutes, offering courses and training programs, and supporting research and development in this area.

Teacher training:

The policy emphasizes the need for teacher training programs to support the use of Indian languages as a medium of instruction. This includes the development of teaching materials, training modules, and certification programs.

Key insights:

The approach of promoting teaching in regional languages is strongly supported by the National Education Policy, 2020. As teaching regional language is a key focus area of NEP, 2020, various initiatives have been undertaken to fulfil the objective.

Preparation of books in regional languages, promoting colleges and universities to teach in regional languages, and allowing students to write exams in regional languages are a few examples of such initiatives.

6) AICTE on a similar path has already allowed selected colleges to deliver the B.Tech course in regional languages, 39 colleges will be able to provide courses in regional language

The move by AICTE to allow 39 technical colleges to offer selected engineering courses in regional languages is a positive step towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in technical education.

This initiative recognizes the fact that many students may not be comfortable with English as a medium of instruction and may perform better if they are allowed to use their mother tongue or a language, they are more comfortable with greater communication and social cohesion between different linguistic communities.

Offering technical courses in regional languages can promote the development of local knowledge systems and innovations, which can contribute to the overall growth and development of the country. It can also help preserve and promote valuable linguistic and cultural diversity in India, which is a key asset for the country.

Key insights:

A total of 62 AICTE-governed courses are now being offered in regional languages such as Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu’. Out of 62 courses, 42 are degree courses while the remaining 20 are diploma courses.

7) Legal education to be taught in 12 Indian languages in over 1000 colleges by the start of next year

Starting from the academic year 2023-24, legal education in India will be taught in 12 Indian languages, in over 1,000 colleges across the country. This is a significant development in the promotion of linguistic diversity and inclusivity in legal education in India.

The decision to offer legal education in regional languages was taken by the Bar Council of India (BCI), which regulates legal education in India. The BCI has stated that the move is aimed at making legal education more accessible to students from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds and promoting the use of regional languages in legal practice and advocacy.

Under this initiative, the BCI will prepare syllabi and course materials for legal education in 12 Indian languages, including Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi, Bengali, Oriya, Assamese, and Urdu. The BCI has also directed law colleges to recruit faculty members who are proficient in the regional language in which they will be teaching.

The BCI has stated that it plans to implement this initiative in a phased manner, starting with the introduction of legal education in regional languages in 100 colleges across India in the academic year 2023-24. The number of colleges offering legal education in regional languages is expected to increase to 500 in the coming year and to over 1,000 by the year 2025.

This move by the BCI is a significant step towards promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity in legal education in India. It can help reduce language barriers, promote greater access to legal education, and facilitate the use of regional languages in legal practice and advocacy. It can also promote the development of local legal systems and contribute to the overall growth and development of the country.

Key insights

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has already formed a committee for developing the study material for law studies in regional languages, this committee is chaired by former CJI Sharad Bobde. Senior Advocate Mannan Kumar Mishra and UGC Chairman M. Jagadesh Kumar are the members of this committee.

The way forward and strategy for promoting learning in regional languages

Promoting learning in regional languages remains to be a long-term process

Promoting learning in regional languages is a long-term process that requires the concerted efforts of policymakers, educators, and society as a whole.

Here are some necessary moves and the way forward to promote learning in regional languages

Creating a supportive policy environment:

The UGC has taken some positive steps to promote learning in regional languages. Going further, there is a need for a comprehensive policy that prioritizes the use of regional languages as a medium of instruction in higher education.

This could include incentives for institutions that offer courses in regional languages, funding for the development of teaching materials and infrastructure, and support for teacher training in regional languages.

Increasing access to resources in regional languages:

One of the major challenges faced by students and educators in promoting learning in regional languages is the lack of resources in these languages. Efforts are already being made to develop textbooks, reference materials, and online resources in regional languages to support learning. 

Encouraging bilingualism and multilingualism:

While promoting learning in regional languages, it is also important to recognize the value of bilingualism and multilingualism. English remains an important language for higher education and international communication, and students should be encouraged to learn English alongside their mother tongue. This can help bridge the gap between different linguistic communities and promote greater understanding and inclusivity.

Raising awareness and changing attitudes:

Another important step in promoting learning in regional languages is to raise awareness among students, parents, educators, and the wider community about the importance of linguistic and cultural diversity.

This could include campaigns to promote the use of regional languages in everyday life, cultural events that celebrate linguistic diversity, and initiatives to encourage dialogue and collaboration across different linguistic communities.

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Conclusion

Promoting learning in regional languages is a complex and multifaceted challenge, but one that is essential for creating a more inclusive and equitable higher education system in India. The UGC has taken some positive steps in this direction.

By creating a supportive policy environment, increasing access to resources, encouraging bilingualism and multilingualism, and raising awareness and changing attitudes, we can create a more linguistically and culturally diverse higher education system that benefits all students and the approach of UGC in this regard is highly appreciable.

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