The language policy is a disaster in epic proportions, says Ashish Naredi
IndiGlobal Media
IndiGlobal Bureau
Why is there an opposition to only Hindi and not English language? Can one get into the armed forces by not knowing English Language or how can an illiterate decipher a medical prescription which is always written in the Queens? There were the questions that Ashish Naredi, Educationist & former executive member, Hyderabad Schools Parents Association put forth during his talk at the recently concluded 2nd IndiGlobal Education Festival 2022 (IGEF) in Hyderabad during the session on implementation of National Education Policy 2020.
Coming hard on the policy makers, he said that the language policy is a disaster in epic proportions and the proponents of the NEP 2020 have got it wrong. Explaining the reasons why it would not be easy or even impossible to implement the proposed teaching in vernacular medium, he traced the policy back to pre-independent Indian when the Macaulay’s system was put forth which insisted on English as a medium of instruction while even in England Latin and Greek were taught.
While agreeing that English is important in the sense that all administrative work is carried out in the English language, Mr Ashish drew the attention of the speakers and the delegates that all major research papers in the world came from countries where English was not common and cited Israel and China. The problem however in imposing the medium of instruction in vernacular languages is the Macaulian legacy that is so deep rooted. He said, “It was a mistake to impose the Macaulays education system in the past and now it is difficult to get rid of it in the present times.”
Explaining the practical problems he said, “Even the electricity bills and bank statements are in English language.” Can one become an IAS officer or a Supreme Court judge without the knowledge of English? It is the government that is promoting English language. 10 % of the people who speak English language make polices for the majority, he added.
