Shed the Myopia, Refocus on the Relevance of English (GS Paper 2, Education)
Context
- In an increasingly interconnected world, the Indian government must prioritize the promotion of English—not as a competitor to indigenous languages but as a critical tool for national and international communication.
- English is often perceived as the gateway to better opportunities, and recognizing its significance is essential for the country’s progress.
Introduction
- For many Indian parents, the aspiration for their children to master English is not merely about language but about unlocking socioeconomic potential.
- Despite this widespread desire, national education policies have often overlooked English language instruction for over seventy years.
- This oversight raises concerns about equity and access in a rapidly globalizing world.
Impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on English
Politicization of Education
- Since independence, educational policies, including the NEP 2020, have been shaped by political ideologies that often aim to restrict English's spread and diminish its significance across various sectors.
- This politicization has profound implications for educational equity and access.
Role of English in Nation Building
- The neutral nature of English, recognized by the Constitution of India as a tool of equality, allows it to serve as a unifying force in a diverse country.
- English facilitates communication among different linguistic groups, making it essential for national cohesion and integration.
Economic Hindrance
- The ongoing tension between restrictive policies and constitutional safeguards has significantly hindered economically disadvantaged populations from acquiring English proficiency.
- This results in a cycle of educational and socio-economic disadvantage, where the lack of English skills restricts access to better job opportunities and upward mobility.
Marginalization of Vulnerable Groups
- Children in government-run schools, who often come from marginalized backgrounds, are disproportionately affected by the neglect of English instruction.
- This exacerbates existing educational inequalities, limiting their ability to compete in a global job market.
Rich-Poor Divide in English Proficiency
- There exists a stark divide between the English-speaking abilities of children from affluent families and those from less privileged backgrounds.
- Families with resources can afford private tutoring and better educational opportunities, thereby widening the gap.
- The 2011 Census revealed that around 90% of the population does not speak English, highlighting a significant linguistic divide that educational policies have failed to address.
Devaluation of English
- NEP 2020's portrayal of English as a foreign language further undermines its significance.
- By neglecting its role as a crucial connector in the globalized economy, the policy fails to equip students with necessary skills for international engagement.
Lack of Defined Strategy
- The absence of a clear strategy to improve access to English for economically disadvantaged groups exacerbates educational inequalities.
- Without targeted interventions, these individuals will continue to face barriers in language acquisition and, by extension, socioeconomic advancement.
The ‘Agenda’ Behind the Cover of ‘Diversity’
NEP 2020’s Three-Language Formula
- The NEP 2020’s three-language formula, while claiming to promote linguistic diversity, hides a deeper agenda aimed at reinforcing a Hindi-centric narrative.
- This diminishes the role of English, which millions view as essential for socio-economic mobility, leading to potential conflicts with the Constitution’s safeguards against the imposition of a single language.
Constitutional Obligations
- The Constitution enshrines both English and Hindi as official languages but deliberately refrains from designating a national language.
- This framework acknowledges the importance of English as an instrumental language while preserving regional languages, which carry the rich cultural heritage of India.
Potential Risks
- The NEP 2020 risks disrupting this balance by potentially overlooking constitutional safeguards, reigniting old linguistic disputes rather than elevating English in a way that respects regional languages.
Increased Demand for English
Since the economic liberalization of 1991, there has been a marked increase in the demand for English proficiency. This demand aligns with the global narrative that emphasizes the necessity of English in participating in economic growth and seizing international opportunities.
Ignoring the Shift
- Despite this growing demand, successive governments have adhered to regional and nationalistic language policies, which undermine English’s role in contemporary society.
- This marginalization could hinder India’s ability to compete globally.
Historical Context of the Anti-English Stance
Post-Independence Push
- In the years following independence, there was a strong movement to establish Hindi as the lingua franca, leading to systematic efforts to diminish English's importance.
- This was underpinned by the belief that Hindi could serve as a neutral bridge across India’s diverse cultural landscape.
Historical Biases
- The bias against English can be traced back to the freedom struggle, which was predominantly led by Hindi-speaking leaders who envisioned a monolingual Hindi-speaking India.
- The partition of India, which sidelined Urdu, intensified the focus on promoting Hindi.
Multilingual Reality
- Despite the push for Hindi, India’s multilingual reality necessitates the retention of English as an official language alongside Hindi.
- This acknowledgment of linguistic diversity is crucial for ensuring equality and inclusion.
Resistance from Southern States
- The implementation of a three-language formula in education faced strong opposition from states like Tamil Nadu, which perceived it as an imposition of Hindi.
- The NEP 2020, while claiming flexibility, subtly continues this agenda, thereby not addressing the core issues surrounding language imposition.
Flaws in Practical Implementation
- While the NEP allows for language selection, the infrastructure and resources are often biased towards Hindi, limiting real choices for students.
- This undermines the policy’s objective of fostering multilingualism and fails to recognize the importance of English.
Way Forward: A Pragmatic Approach
Lessons from Global Examples
- Countries like China have recognized the importance of English, mandating its study to align with global economic shifts and the aspirations of their citizens.
- India, in contrast, lacks a focused English language policy, which could hinder its engagement with the global economy and limit social mobility.
Proposed Two-Language Formula
- A pragmatic language policy that incorporates both a regional language and English would better serve the aspirations of Indians.
- Such a framework would empower citizens to participate as global players while maintaining their unique cultural identities.
Broader Participation
- Implementing this policy would facilitate broader participation in global economic opportunities, ensuring that all Indians can effectively engage in professional, educational, and legal contexts.
Conclusion
- The Indian government must prioritize the development and promotion of English as a vital tool for national and international communication, not as a rival to indigenous languages.
- This approach aligns with democratic principles of equality and individual rights, allowing all citizens to engage fully in the socioeconomic landscape without linguistic barriers.
- As a liberal democracy, India must be responsive to the needs of its citizens, reflecting these realities in its language policy.
- A balanced multilingual framework that promotes English alongside regional languages will make India more inclusive and participative in an increasingly globalized world.
