‘Mother tongue boosts self-esteem and gives a sense of cultural belonging’
Vice President inaugurates Golden Jubilee celebrations of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur
IndiGlobal Bureau
Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu has exhorted schools to forge a strong moral character in children and inculcate the national values of oneness, harmony and universal brotherhood from a young age. He was speaking after inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur in Hyderabad.
Complementing the school for the big milestone, he urged making ‘excellence’ the watchword in educational institutions. He advised schools to implement the National Education Policy 2020 in full and foster an all-round growth and development of students – in intellectual, moral and creative terms.
Touching on the issue of use of mother tongue in schools, the V-P expressed concern that some schools “look down upon the student’s mother tongue and encourage them to speak and learn exclusively in English”. He pointed out that “learning and freely communicating in one’s mother tongue not only improves the educational outcomes, but more importantly, boosts self-esteem and gives a sense of cultural belonging to the students”.
Referring to National Education Policy’s recommendations, the Vice President wanted a shift in the medium of instruction at the primary level to mother tongue and to gradually extend this to higher levels too.
Terming punctuality and discipline as very important attributes for success, he exhorted the students to aim high and work hard to progress in life. Crediting ‘discipline, dedication, commitment and hard work’ for his reaching the second highest constitutional position in the country, Mr Naidu stressed that “hard work has no substitute.”
Praising HPS, Ramanthapur for its sprawling and lush green campus, the V-P wanted the students to focus not just on their studies but on their physical fitness as well.
He suggested children to take up Indian art and culture from a young age. Mr Naidu said that India has a great tradition of music and dance, which not only form part of our intangible cultural heritage but also act as a great stress reliever.
Mohammed Mahmood Ali, Home Minister of Telangana, Ms VakatiKaruna, Secretary, Education &, Hyderabad Public School Board of Governors, Principal S Narasimha Reddy, staff, parents, alumni of the school and others took part.
