Language and Education: A Balancing Act in Andhra Pradesh
In a recent address to the Assembly in Amravati, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the importance of mother tongue education. He stated, “Language is only for communication. Knowledge will not come with language.” Naidu’s comments come amid ongoing debates surrounding the National Education Policy (NEP) and its three-language formula.
Mother Tongue vs. English: A Global Perspective
Naidu expressed that students who learn in their mother tongue are excelling worldwide, challenging the common belief that knowledge is inherently tied to English. He underscored the ease of learning through one’s native language, claiming, “It is easy to learn through the mother tongue.”
Embracing Multilingualism
The Chief Minister advocated for a multilingual approach where individuals retain their mother tongue while learning other languages, including Hindi and English. He highlighted the practical benefits of learning languages such as Japanese and German for those traveling abroad.
The NEP Controversy
Naidu’s remarks follow those of Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, who supported the NEP’s three-language policy amid concerns from Tamil Nadu regarding the potential imposition of Hindi. Kalyan clarified that he does not oppose Hindi as a language but rather the idea of making it compulsory, stating, “Both imposing and opposing a language blindly doesn’t help to achieve national integration.”
As the debate continues, the central government maintains that the NEP promotes multilingualism and allows states to choose their languages. The ongoing dispute over the policy reflects deeper concerns about regional autonomy and linguistic identity in India.
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