Technology has the potential to empower teachers. While it may not always be possible to translate technical terms into regional languages verbatim, a hybrid approach can be developed thus students will not be deprived of technical knowledge if they study in the regional language.

Education in Local Languages

Since colonial times, all commissions and committees recognized the importance of education in vernacular languages. Its proponents include Macaulay’s Minute of 1835, Elphinstone’s Minute of 1824, and Wood’s Dispatch of 1854. A quick Internet search also not fails to reveal a high viewership count for study content in Hindi and other Regional languages. This demonstrates a significant need for educational materials in vernacular languages. While education has always attempted to bridge the gap between the haves and have-nots, a lack of regional language programmes, particularly in higher education, has compelled students to discontinue their education.

On Independence Day in his speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the use of regional languages for instruction at the primary and higher education levels and also highlighted reforms under The National Education Policy (NEP). The NEP urges the expansion of higher education institutions and programmes that use the mother tongue or regional language as the primary medium of instruction.

The government has also urged universities to create study materials in regional languages as part of the NEP 2020 in order to enhance student's ability to comprehend and empower them. In accordance with NEP, 14 engineering colleges across the nation have offered to provide lessons in regional languages. Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, recently reiterated the need for medical instruction to be provided in regional languages when he stated that Indian languages should be used for instruction in law, engineering, and medicine.

Positive Components of Higher Education in Regional Language

Studies from India and other Asian nations suggest that using a regional language instead of English has a positive impact on students' learning outcomes. Offering higher education programmes in regional languages will not only better equip students to approach their problems with a global perspective but also dramatically increase students’ enrollment in higher education courses.

Education in Regional Languages will help in the cognitive growth of students which when combined with skill development will encourage the development of professionals who can transform the nation from the grassroots. Regional language education is notably important for students who are first-generation learners or those who are from rural areas because they may feel intimidated by unfamiliar concepts in an alien language.

The gap between the English-speaking population and those who speak in their mother tongues will also be shuttered by emphasizing regional languages. Also, the gap between the privileged and the marginalized can be bridged by the introduction of engineering and medical courses in regional languages. The literature on educational psychology also cites additional advantages of native language instruction, such as increased student motivation as well as improved parental support for academic endeavours.

Challenges Associated

1. The primary obstacle is the lack of study materials like textbooks and academic literature in regional languages.
2. The decision to encourage regional languages in tertiary education will affect how the top institutions hire because they will be compelled to prioritise language ability over subject-matter knowledge.
3. The NEP which promotes the inter-nationalisation of education by facilitating faculty cross-border travel would prohibit students who speak regional languages from taking advantage of knowledge transfers due to a language barrier.
4. Delivering technical education in regional languages may limit students' ability to compete in global labour and education markets, where English fluency gives a clear advantage.
5. The NEP, 2020's goal of bridging the gap between the elite and the rest may be undermined by the dearth of opportunities for Indian students on the global stage.
6. As many public sector organisations accept GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) scores for entry-level positions, which are administered in English only, regional languages will create placement-related challenges and it might further limit job opportunities.
7. Additionally, it contradicts the goal of advancing the globalisation of education.

Education in Regional Language is of paramount importance but the development of skills that must accompany higher education is a persistent factor. Students should be urged to acquire the skills that will aid in their holistic development regardless of the language being used. Institutions will need to significantly improve and improvise for regional language programmes to be functional and useful.

Technology has the potential to empower teachers. While it may not always be possible to translate technical terms into regional languages verbatim, a hybrid approach can be developed thus students will not be deprived of technical knowledge if they study in the regional language. This will enable local-global integration with cutting-edge knowledge and technology, as well as provide students with global exposure and expertise.

01-Nov-2022
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