Kothari Commission's Three Language Policy in India
The Kothari Commission advocated for the Three Language Policy to promote national integration and remove linguistic barriers in India. Learn about the policy's goals and controversies below.
by Priya Mondal
The Kothari Commission Report
The Kothari Commission
1964-1966
Established by the Government of India to
Examine the Indian Education system and makes recommendations for reform.
The Commission's Objective
To suggest a comprehensive plan for the development of education at all stages.
Introduction to the Three Language Policy
The Language Policy
The policy aimed to promote national integration and remove linguistic barriers in India
The Three Languages
The three languages were Hindi, English, and a regional language.
Goals of the Three Language Policy
Promoting Unity
To promote national unity by creating a common language culture and remove linguistic division in India.
Inclusion
To make education accessible and inclusive for all students in every part of India.
Cultural Exchange
To promote cultural exchange and encourage students to learn other languages and explore other cultures.
Implementation of the Three Language Policy
1
Phase 1: 1968-1986
The policy followed a Three-Stage Formula and started its implementation in 1968, giving enough importance to all the three languages, Hindi, English and Regional, until the sixth standard.
2
Phase 2: 1986-2004
As per the recommendation of the policy, it was made compulsory for all non-Hindi speaking students to learn Hindi until the eighth standard.
3
Phase 3: 2004-present
The policy has now been revised and regional languages have been given more importance. They are taught in schools up to the Class eighth level.
Controversies Surrounding the Policy
Lost in Translation
The policy was strongly criticized by non-Hindi speaking states, arguing that imposing Hindi is an act of cultural imperialism that undermines the interest of the states.
The Medium of Instruction
The middle-class English-speaking elite also objected, seeing the inclusion of regional language as a deviation from their aspiration to join global transnational centers of power.
Patriotism vs. Linguistic Pride
Many people felt that choosing between Hindi and regional languages may have caused a divide between national patriotism and their linguistic pride.
Evaluation of the Policy's Effectiveness
1
Positive outcomes included:
The language policy promoted the study of regional languages and contributed towards cultural exchange and national integration.
2
Negative outcomes included:
The policy has faced severe criticism as it is often deemed oppressive and implemented against the will of people.
3
The way forward:
Reforms in the language policy are needed to take into account the more significant needs and challenges of existing Indian society.
Conclusion and Future Implications
Conclusion
The Three Language Policy in India remains a controversial issue that is still under deliberation by the government.
Future Implications
The effective implementation of the policy requires more than just formal directives from the Central government, as it is not sufficient to ignore local-level concerns and sentiments while implementing education reforms.