Schools stuck in 3-language policy limbo, claim experts

While the state govt has again shelved the three-language policy as it holds "wide-ranging consultations", experts said questions such as lack of teachers and pressure of formal education on kids at an early age must be taken into account too. They said schools have been left in limbo due to the policy paralysis of Mantralaya.

The state last week reversed its move to make Hindi compulsory at primary level and provided a choice to schools or parents to opt for an alternate Indian language and announced that there shall be a teacher for the chosen language if 20 students in a class opt for it.

Madhav Suryavanshi of Shikshan Vikas Manch stated that while the state can release a govt decision making it compulsory to teach three languages, it has "no capacity to implement it". "Textbooks have not been printed in large numbers yet, and by the time they get distributed and into the hands of students, how many months will it take? And where are the teachers coming from? In my school alone, there are four teachers for six sanctioned posts. Even if we manage to get the teachers, they have to be trained."

On the instability resulting from Mantralaya, he stated, "Govt is not able to hold a stance in any one direction."

Another controversial aspect of the policy was the three languages taught from Class 1. Shruti Panse, a linguist who works with school kids, stated, "Until the pre-primary level, everything is informal. All studies say that formal education can begin only by the age of six." School education process begins with listening, followed by basic communication, and then reading and writing. "Having all these phases of education within a single year is a poor idea, because it imposes pressure on children," she further said.

On govt's assertion that it is easier for kids to understand languages when they are younger, she said, "I agree it is easier, but it has to be informal. Kids are already studying a foreign language with English in a formal manner, and learning another subject of formal schooling is too much for a child." Panse added that physical education and arts classes have been cut down to provide space for a third language. "Out-of-class activities enjoy their own merits and form an integral part of a child's mental development. Such a step would diminish the enthusiasm a child has for school and education only."

Schools have been left in limbo due to a failure on the part of govt to announce anything clearly. The vice-principal of a school run in the Marathi medium stated, "We have not altered the curriculum or added a third language as we anticipate that the policy will be altered. We are discussing with our trustees further action."