CBSE Urges Schools to Prioritize Indian Languages in Education, Aligning with NEP 2020 Vision

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has called on its affiliated schools to prioritize the teaching of Indian languages, especially up to Class 5. This directive was issued in commemoration of the three-year anniversary of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

CBSE cited the NEP 2020, urging schools to promote linguistic diversity, cultural understanding, and academic excellence. The policy emphasizes the cognitive benefits of multilingualism for young learners, particularly when exposed to multiple languages from an early stage, with a specific focus on their mother tongue. The circular strongly advocates for using the home language, mother tongue, local, or regional language as the medium of instruction, preferably until Grade 8 and beyond.

#3yearsofNEP #NEP2020 emphasizes the importance and cognitive benefits of multilingualism for young students. Use of Indian languages as an alternative medium of instructions from primary classes to class 12 has been reiterated in this important circular of CBSE. pic.twitter.com/RZrmrPPMqa

— CBSE HQ (@cbseindia29) July 21, 2023

To facilitate this initiative, CBSE encouraged schools to consider adopting NCERT books, now available in 22 scheduled Indian languages, in line with the Ministry of Education’s instructions.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan commended CBSE for offering the option of education in Indian languages from kindergarten to Class 12, aligning with the vision of NEP to promote Indian language-based education. The UGC Chief, M Jagadesh Kumar, also praised CBSE’s decision, emphasizing that fostering Indian languages in both school and higher education systems would nurture creative and innovative students.