Education
Government directs school and higher education institutions to provide digital study material in Indian languages
The Government of India has taken a decisive step to bridge the linguistic divide in education. Aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the government has mandated that study materials for all courses under school and higher education be made digitally accessible in Indian languages listed in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution. This directive, issued by the Ministry of Education, marks a significant stride towards fostering multilingualism and enhancing learning outcomes across the nation.
The directive encompasses an extensive range of educational bodies, including regulators like UGC, AICTE, NCERT, NIOS, and IGNOU, as well as heads of Institutes of National Importance (INIs) like IITs, Central Universities (CUs), and NITs. These institutions are tasked to facilitate the availability of study material in Indian languages across all courses within the next three years. Moreover, UGC, AICTE, and the Department of School Education are set to collaborate with state schools and universities to ensure the implementation of this transformative initiative.
The rationale behind this directive stems from the NEP’s emphasis on leveraging the multilingual nature of India as a significant asset for the country’s socio-cultural, economic, and educational development. The policy underscores the importance of enabling students to study in their native languages, thus providing a natural space for innovation and critical thinking, free from the constraints of language barriers.
This initiative is not a standalone effort but a continuation of the government’s commitment to multilingual education. Over the past two years, significant progress has been made in this domain. Anuvadini, an AI-based app, has been instrumental in translating academic content in fields such as Engineering, Medicine, Law, and various undergraduate and postgraduate disciplines. This translated content is readily accessible on the ekumbh portal. In the realm of school education, the DIKSHA platform offers study materials in over 30 Indian languages, further enriching the educational landscape.
Furthermore, the inclusive approach is evident in competitive examinations like JEE, NEET, and CUET, which are now conducted in 13 Indian languages, thereby accommodating a diverse pool of candidates.
This initiative by the Government of India is not just a step towards educational reform; it’s a leap towards realizing the vision of ‘Viksit Bharat’ – a developed nation by 2047. By embracing the multilingual ethos of the nation, the move is set to revolutionize the educational framework, making it more inclusive, accessible, and aligned with the rich linguistic heritage of India. ScooNews, as a dedicated educational media house, stands in support of this transformative journey, recognizing its potential to mould a future where every student can thrive, powered by knowledge in their mother tongue.