UNESCO’s Report on Multilingual Education - REPORTS

UNESCO’s Report on Multilingual Education - REPORTS

NEWS: A new report by UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, titled ‘Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education’, highlights that 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they understand. This percentage rises to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries, affecting over 250 million learners worldwide.

 

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

Key Findings of the Report on Multilingual Education

The report marks the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day and emphasizes the urgent need for policies that promote multilingual education worldwide. It highlights how language barriers significantly impact education access and quality, particularly for marginalized communities.

  • The report holds particular relevance for India, where the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 strongly advocates for education in the mother tongue at the foundational stage.
  • However, the three-language policy under NEP 2020 has faced resistance from certain states, with some opposing the mandatory inclusion of specific languages in school curricula.

 

Global Language Barriers in Education

Language plays a critical role in ensuring equitable access to education, but millions of students across the world face challenges due to linguistic mismatches in educational institutions.

1. Limited Access to Education in Home Languages

  • Globally, 40% of the population does not have access to education in a language they understand.
  • In many low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to a staggering 90%, affecting learning outcomes and literacy rates.

2. Language Barriers for Displaced and Migrant Populations

  • 31 million displaced youth around the world face serious learning disruptions due to language barriers caused by migration.
  • Migrants often struggle to integrate into new education systems where the medium of instruction differs from their home language.

3. Colonial Legacy and Linguistic Disparities

  • In many former colonial countries, the education system continues to be dominated by imposed languages, such as English, French, or Portuguese.
  • The lack of education in native languages leads to learning gaps and educational disparities among indigenous and rural communities.

 

Challenges in Implementing Multilingual Education

While multilingual education has been widely recognized as beneficial for cognitive development and inclusivity, several obstacles hinder its implementation.

1. Teacher Shortage and Lack of Training

  • Many teachers lack the necessary training to effectively teach in multiple languages.
  • The absence of bilingual or multilingual teacher training programs limits the ability to transition to a multilingual education system.

2. Insufficient Learning Resources in Local Languages

  • Textbooks, digital content, and learning materials are often unavailable in many home languages.
  • This scarcity forces students to study in non-native languages, leading to lower comprehension and weaker learning outcomes.

3. Community Resistance and Societal Preferences

  • In many societies, dominant languages (such as English, French, or Hindi in India) are seen as more valuable for career growth.
  • Parents and communities often prefer their children to study in these languages, fearing that mother tongue education may limit future opportunities.

4. Financial Constraints on Governments

  • Implementing multilingual education programs requires significant budgetary allocation for:
    • Developing teaching materials in multiple languages.
    • Training multilingual educators.
    • Expanding language-focused learning infrastructure.
  • Many governments, especially in developing countries, struggle to fund these initiatives adequately.

 

UNESCO’s Recommendations for Addressing Multilingual Education Challenges

To overcome these challenges, the Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report by UNESCO provides key recommendations:

1. Context-Specific Language Policies

  • Countries should develop education policies that reflect their linguistic diversity rather than enforcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
  • Governments must ensure a gradual transition from home languages to additional languages, allowing students to build a strong foundation in their mother tongue before learning a second or third language.
  • Curriculum adjustments and proper learning materials should accompany these language policies.

2. Teacher Training and Development of Learning Resources

  • Training programs should equip teachers with the skills to teach effectively in both home languages and secondary languages.
  • Investment in bilingual teaching methods and the creation of local-language learning materials is essential for ensuring smooth implementation.

3. Supporting Multilingual Students in Early Education

  • Early childhood educators should be trained in culturally and linguistically responsive teaching strategies to support multilingual learners.
  • Schools must provide extra academic support for students transitioning from their home language to a new language of instruction.

4. Inclusive School Leadership and Community Engagement

  • School leaders should be trained to promote multilingual inclusivity in classrooms.
  • Governments should encourage community and parental involvement, fostering trust in mother-tongue education while addressing concerns about future opportunities.

 

Why This Matters for India?

1. Alignment with India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

  • The NEP 2020 strongly promotes education in the mother tongue, recognizing the cognitive benefits of learning in one's first language.
  • However, challenges remain in implementing multilingual education across diverse linguistic states.

2. Controversy Over the Three-Language Policy

  • The three-language policy, which encourages students to learn three languages (including one regional language), has faced opposition from certain states.
  • Some Southern and Northeastern states have rejected the policy, arguing that language imposition threatens regional identities.
  • This controversy highlights the need for a more flexible and region-specific language policy.

3. Need for Greater Investment in Teacher Training and Learning Materials

  • India must invest heavily in training educators to effectively teach in multiple languages.
  • More local-language textbooks, digital content, and instructional resources should be developed to support mother-tongue education.

4. Addressing Language Barriers Among Migrants and Tribal Communities

  • Many migrant children and tribal students in India face serious learning difficulties due to language mismatches in schools.
  • A strong multilingual education framework would help bridge learning gaps and ensure inclusive education for all linguistic communities.

 

Conclusion

The GEM report highlights the urgent need for multilingual education policies to ensure inclusive and equitable access to quality education. While India has taken steps towards mother-tongue education through NEP 2020, several implementation challenges remain, including teacher shortages, lack of resources, financial constraints, and community resistance.

To successfully implement multilingual education, India must:

  • Adopt a flexible, region-specific language policy.
  • Invest in multilingual teacher training programs.
  • Develop adequate learning materials in local languages.
  • Encourage community participation and awareness about the benefits of mother-tongue education.

By addressing these challenges, India can enhance learning outcomes, preserve linguistic diversity, and ensure a more inclusive education system for future generations.

India's Linguistic Diversity & Constitutional Recognition

  1. Eighth Schedule Languages
    • The Constitution of India recognizes 22 languages under the Eighth Schedule.
    • These languages are: Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Bodo, Santhali, Maithili, and Dogri.
  2. Classical Languages
    • India holds the unique distinction of having 11 classical languages, the highest for any country.
    • Earlier recognized classical languages: Tamil, Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia.
    • New additions (October 2024): Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali.
    • A language is granted classical status based on historical antiquity, rich literary tradition, and influence on subsequent linguistic developments.

 

Government Initiatives for Language Preservation

  1. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 & Multilingual Education
    • The NEP 2020 emphasizes multilingual education, particularly advocating mother tongue-based learning in early education.
    • It introduces a three-language policy, requiring schools to teach three languages, including a regional language.
    • Some states have opposed this policy due to concerns about language imposition.
    • Multilingual education is expected to reduce dropout rates and enhance learning outcomes.
  2. E-Learning & Digital Initiatives
    • The DIKSHA platform provides 3,66,370 e-content pieces across 133 languages, improving digital accessibility.
    • More than 200 educational TV channels broadcast content in 29 languages to reach diverse learners.
    • The ULLAS App and National Digital Library ensure access to multilingual resources for students and educators.
  3. Promoting Hindi & Strengthening Linguistic Unity
    • India celebrated 75 years of Hindi as an official language with initiatives to enhance its role in global governance and diplomacy.
    • Key initiatives for Hindi promotion:
      • Hindi Advisory Committees formed in various ministries to ensure effective implementation.
      • Town Official Language Implementation Committees (TOLIC) set up both in India and abroad to promote Hindi usage.
      • The “Hindi Shabd Sindhu” dictionary was created to facilitate governance and official communication.

 

Technology & Language Preservation

  1. AI & Translation Initiatives
    • The National Language Translation Mission and Bhashini Project utilize artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to break language barriers.
    • These projects aim to improve real-time translation, enhancing access to government services, education, and digital content in regional languages.
    • Ed-tech platforms are encouraged to develop educational materials in regional languages for better accessibility and inclusivity.

 

Cultural Initiatives & Public Engagement

  1. Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Program
    • This initiative fosters linguistic and cultural exchange between different states and regions to promote national unity.
  2. Major Cultural Events Celebrating Linguistic Diversity
    • Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam: Highlights the deep-rooted cultural connections between the Tamil and Saurashtra communities.
    • Kashi Tamil Sangamam: Showcases the historical and cultural ties between Varanasi (Kashi) and Tamil Nadu.

These initiatives collectively reinforce India's commitment to linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, and multilingual inclusivity.

 

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/40-global-population-doesnt-have-access-to-education-in-language-they-understand-according-to-unesco-101740915575994.html