After Backlash on Hindi Imposition, Centre Tweaks Education Policy

The recommendations relating to the teaching of Hindi in the first draft had drawn sharp reactions in Tamil Nadu.

The recommendations relating to the teaching of Hindi in the first draft drew sharp reactions in Tamil Nadu.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@HRDMinistry)

Following backlash over the draft education policy favouring teaching Hindi in non-Hindi speaking states, the Centre has tweaked its policy to remove references to specific languages including Hindi, but still sought to propound the three-language formula.

The revised draft reportedly now says:

“In keeping with the principle of flexibility, students who wish to change one or more of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6 or Grade 7, so long as they are able to still demonstrate proficiency in three languages (one language at the literature level) in their modular Board Examinations some time during secondary school (see P4.9.5).”

Meanwhile, the first draft had said: “In keeping with the principle of flexibility, students who wish to change one of the three languages they are studying may do so in Grade 6, so long as the study of three languages by students in the Hindi-speaking states would continue to include Hindi and English and one of the modern Indian languages from other parts of India, while the study of languages by students in the non-Hindi-speaking states would include the regional language, Hindi and English.”

DMK Adopts Resolution Against Proposed 3-Language Policy

Meanwhile, the DMK on Monday, 3 June, adopted a resolution against the proposed three-language policy of the HRD Ministry, saying:

“Don’t test the patience of Tamils. DMK will fiercely oppose any attempt at any point in time to impose any language policy that could affect the two language system in Tamil Nadu. We urge the Union BJP-led government not to play with sentiments of Tamil people. In a diverse country like India, we believe that the Central government will not pass any legislation without due consultation with all parties concerned.”

DMK Resolution

The recommendations relating to the teaching of Hindi in the first draft had drawn sharp reactions especially in Tamil Nadu, from the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) and actor Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam.

Following this, the Centre had attempted some damage control, with newly-appointed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday saying that the state governments will be consulted before a final decision is taken on the issue.

The draft National Education Policy (NEP) propounds a number of changes, including a "5+3+3+4" system of education, instead of the traditional 10+2 system, a four-year-long period of study for undergraduate honours courses, and a free and compulsory schooling policy right from pre-school till Class 12.