Explained What is three-language formula at centre of row between Union govt Tamil Nadu

    New Delhi, Mar 12 (PTI) The three-language formula proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020, is at the centre of a political row between the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government and the central government. Here is an explainer on the formula:
    
    1. What is the proposed formula?
    
    The three-language formula in NEP 2020 recommends that students learn three languages, at least two of which must be native Indian languages. This formula applies to both government and private schools, giving states the flexibility to choose languages without any imposition.
    
    2. The three-language formula is for which classes?
    
    The NEP has stated that the medium of instruction will be home language, mother     tongue, local language or regional language until at least class 5 but preferably till     class 8 and beyond.
    
    3. What is the history of three-language formula?
    
    The formula was first proposed by the Education Commission (1964-66), officially     known as the Kothari Commission. It was formally adopted in the National Policy     on Education (NPE) 1968 under then prime minister Indira Gandhi.
     The policy was reaffirmed in NPE 1986 under PM Rajiv Gandhi and revised in     1992 by Narasimha Rao's Congress government to promote linguistic diversity and     national unity.
         The formula included three languages — mother tongue or regional language,     official language (including English) and a modern Indian or European language.
    
    4. What does NEP 2020 say about three-language formula?
    
    The NEP proposes an "early implementation of the three-language formula to     promote multilingualism" from the school level.
    
     The document states that the three-language formula will continue to be     implemented "while keeping in mind the Constitutional provisions, aspirations of     the people, regions, and the Union, and the need to promote multilingualism as     well as promote national unity."     
    
    5. Is the formula aimed at imposing languages on states?    
    
    The NEP states that there will be greater flexibility in the three-language formula,     and no language will be imposed on any state. The policy states that the three     languages learned by children will be the choices of states, regions, and of course,     the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native     to India.
    
    6. What about foreign languages?
    
    According to the NEP 2020, in addition to Indian languages and English, students     at the secondary level can also learn Korean, Japanese, French, German and     Spanish,     among other foreign languages.
     English which is used as medium of instruction in majority of schools, will now be     considered a foreign language. Because of this students opting for English will have to opt for two Indian languages.
    
    7. What is Tamil Nadu's opposition?
    
    The state has historically opposed the three-language formula. In 1937, the then     Madras government, headed by C Rajagopalachari, introduced compulsory Hindi in     schools. This move sparked widespread protests by the Justice Party and Dravidian     leaders like Periyar. The policy was revoked in 1940, but anti-Hindi sentiments     persisted.
    
    When the three-language formula was introduced in 1968, Tamil Nadu opposed it,     seeing it as an attempt to impose Hindi. Under the chief minister C N Annadurai,     the state adopted a two-language policy, teaching only Tamil and English.
    
    School education being a concurrent subject, states can refuse to accept the     formula. Tamil Nadu remains the only state that has never implemented the three-    language     formula,     choosing English over Indian languages, including Hindi and     other regional     languages.

    8. What is the fresh trigger?
    
    Tamil Nadu's refusal to implement key aspects of NEP 2020, particularly the three-     language formula, has resulted in the Centre withholding Rs 573 crore in central     education assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
    
     According to policy rules, states must comply with NEP guidelines to receive SSA     funding, of which 60 per cent is provided by the Centre to states like Tamil Nadu.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)