Issues related to the three-language formula

Context:

The central government has withheld an amount of Rs 2,152 crore to Tamil Nadu under the Samagra Shiksha Yojana due to its refusal to join the Pradhan Mantri- School for Rising India (PM-SHRI) initiative.

Reasons for Tamil Nadu not joining the PM-SHRI initiative:

• Tamil Nadu is keen to participate in the PM-SHRI scheme but opposes the order to implement the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020.
• One of the main objections of Tamil Nadu is the insistence on adopting the three-language formula in schools under the National Education Policy. The Tamil Nadu government has made it clear that it will not give up its two-language policy.

Provisions related to three-language formula in National Education Policy

• The concept of three-language formula adopted in National Education Policy, 2020 was first presented in National Education Policy, 1968.
  • National Education Policy, 1968 advocated making Hindi a compulsory language throughout the country.
  • Under this, Hindi speaking states were required to teach Hindi, English and a modern Indian language (preferably a South Indian language). Non-Hindi speaking states were expected to teach the local regional language, Hindi and English.
  • In contrast, National Education Policy, 2020 does not technically impose any specific language on any state, providing more flexibility.
• According to National Education Policy, 2020, the three languages ​​to be learned by children will be of the choice of states, regions and of course the students provided that at least two of the three languages ​​are native languages ​​of India.
  • This means that apart from the state language, students will have to learn at least one other Indian language. However, it need not be Hindi.
  • The policy also emphasises on bilingual education, particularly the local language/mother tongue and English.
• The policy emphasises Sanskrit as an optional choice within the three-language formula.

Reason for opposition by Tamil Nadu:

• Tamil Nadu has long opposed the ‘imposition of Hindi’. When the C. Rajagopalachari (Rajaji) government in Madras proposed to make Hindi a compulsory subject in secondary schools in 1937, the Justice Party opposed it.
  • Rajaji eventually resigned and the British government withdrew the order.
• As the deadline for adopting Hindi as the sole official language throughout India approached in 1965, there were violent protests in Tamil Nadu. 
•  Agitations also started in the state during the adoption of the Official Languages ​​(Amendment) Act, 1967 and the Official Languages ​​Resolution, 1968 by Parliament.
  • During this time, the Annadurai-led Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government passed a resolution calling for the abolition of the three-language formula and the removal of Hindi from the curriculum in Tamil Nadu schools.
  • Since then, the state has firmly followed its two-language policy of teaching Tamil and English.
• In 2019, due to opposition, the Kasturirangan Committee removed the clause on compulsory learning of Hindi from the draft National Education Policy, 2020.

Tamil Nadu government's arguments:

• The Tamil Nadu government considers the three-language formula an attempt to impose Hindi. It argues that in practice, the implementation of the three-language formula will actually promote Hindi because resources for additional language teachers and teaching materials are limited. 
• The Union Budget for 2019 allocated ₹50 crore for the appointment of Hindi teachers in non-Hindi speaking states. Critics argue that this action by the Central government is contrary to the objectives of promoting regional languages.
  • This is evident, for example, in the lack of efforts to appoint adequate regional language teachers in Kendriya Vidyalayas or to ensure that South Indian languages ​​are taught in schools above the Vindhya region.

Conclusion:

• The only viable solution to the three-language formula is constructive dialogue and pragmatic compromise between the Centre and the states on an issue like education, which was moved from the state to the concurrent list during the Emergency.
• Notably, Tamil Nadu, with a long-standing two-language policy, has consistently outperformed many other states in key parameters like gross enrolment ratio and reduction in school dropout rate.
  • In such a situation, disagreement over the third language should not be allowed to lead to lack of funds for ‘Samagra Shiksha’, a comprehensive programme for education.