By Ricky Renthlei
The new education policy known as the National Education Policy (NEP)2020 recently introduced by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India will replace the curricular and pedagogical structure of 10+2 by 5+3+3+4.
Like the earlier system, board exams will be conducted at class X and class XII but the undergrad course will take 4 years instead of 3 thus giving a fair chance to students aspiring to pursue higher studies in foreign universities such as the United States or Canada. There’s no arguing the fact that the current education system that was introduced 34 years ago has outlived its relevance in the present day context, hence the NEP 2020. No doubt, the new policy has many desirable features that seek to address and meet emerging challenges of the present social and economic realities and the intention of this piece is not to discuss the merits of the new policy. However, I would like to draw the attention of readers to item No. 4.13 of the NEP 2020 that specifically pertains to the replacement of two language formula(this system presently being followed up to secondary school level) by three language formula. If implemented, the three language formula will be patently unfair to the non-hindi-speaking tribal student community of the northeast (Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur Arunachal and many other tribes of Assam and Tripura) as they use the ROMAN script for their mother tongue while their counterparts in the mainland use either Devanagiri or Tamil Brahmin script. One cannot deny the advantage of being multilingual. The unique skill gives us an edge and opens up a host of opportunities in this competitive world. Such gifted students however are not common. We also have to be realistic, and empathise with the average tribal student who has to struggle getting a pass mark in Hindi even up to secondary level.
Imagine a situation where a tribal student struggling to get by the mandatory three language formula, that includes learning a totally different script, which in any case will not guarantee his/her future success. Chances are that he/she may miss out on the more important subjects which are crucial for his/her academic pursuit. These students will certainly be at a disadvantage when they compete with students hailing from backgrounds that use Devanagiri script. So much for the LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
Let us for argument’s sake, consider a parent from the North East who is affluent enough and is aspiring to get his child admitted in one of the renowned institutions in Chennai. This child would have to opt for English first language, Hindi second language and Tamil third language. He would have to go for private tuitions for the two languages. The resources and efforts would be spent on subjects that get him nowhere. The irony is that this parent sent his child to Chennai with the aim of getting him admitted into a good medical school.
In 1979, the Janata Government decided to make the Indian languages in 8th schedule as a compulsory subject in Civil Services Examination. Except Bengali and Assamese, all other North East candidates were in trouble as it was difficult for them to clear these language papers. The North East student representatives at Delhi decided to meet the then Home Minister Shri H M Patel, ICS (Rtd) to represent our grievances against the language imposition on the North East candidates. We apprised him that the imposition is quite discriminatory against the North East people of Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh as our languages are not included in the 8th schedule. We asserted that if Hindi is to be imposed, it should be made compulsory for all the candidates as well. We questioned as to why Tamils, Bengalis etc. were allowed to answer in their languages whereas other languages are imposed on us as this is clearly discrimination against North East candidates. Subsequently, he informed us that he would give exemption for one year to us. To this, we further expressed that we do not agree in principle the exemption for specific period be it one, five or ten years and we were strongly against the injustice and discrimination.
When Shri Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the former President of India visited Mizoram in the same year in 1979, the Mizo students under the umbrella of Mizo Zirlai Pawl (Mizo Students Union) lined up in the streets of Aizawl received him wearing black clothes with their backs to him as a sign of displeasure against this mandatory language imposition in the Civil Services Examination. It appeared that the President was extremely touched by the reception given by the Mizo Students. On his return to Delhi, he was invited as a Chief Guest at a college function where he narrated his recent visit to Mizoram. He expressed his displeasure with the imposition of language in Civil Services Examination. He reprimanded the Hindi chauvinists for their intolerance for imposing their language on other minorities. He said that he was extremely sympathetic to Mizo students who still gave him a reception despite their anger against language imposition. The President, therefore, took up the issue with the Janata Government and consequently the Government exempted us from the mandatory language in Civil Services Exam on his advice and this stands till date. Had the order of imposition not been withdrawn, the number of candidates from the North East who could have cleared the Civil Services Exam would have been dismal. After a lapse of 41 years, it is essential that we contemplate whether our candidates are equipped to clear the language paper if it is re-introduced. The same political party in 1979 is now in power again and who knows if they will re-introduce compulsory language in the Civil Services Exam.
Although the three language formula in the National Education Policy 2020 is intended to bring about national unity by bridging the linguistic gap between states, however it is not the only option to integrate the ethnic diversity of India. It is possible to enhance the educational standards even without adopting imposition of three language formula.
Presently, there is a lot of resentment against the 3 language formula in Tamil Nadu. The Chief Minister, Edappadi K.Palaniswami, expressed that his Government would oppose this policy and was looking for support from like minded Chief Ministers of other states. All other political parties of Tamil Nadu except BJP have opposed this policy. Mr Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, the former President of India, a Telugu had saved Northeast students 41 years back, and we may hope that Mr Venkaiah Naidu, who is also a Telugu, holding the post of Vice- President of India can save our people again this time. It is high time that the people of the North East unite and raise our voices against this injustice for our survival.
Lets us all rise to the occasion and raise our voices for the future of our children and ourselves.
