Supreme Court endorses right to education in mother tongue
Why in News
The Supreme Court has endorsed the right to be taught in one's mother tongue, reinforcing constitutional provisions for linguistic diversity. This aligns with the National Education Policy 2020's recommendations.
Background
This judicial endorsement strengthens Art. 350A and Art. 21A, promoting inclusive education and preserving linguistic heritage. It impacts educational policy implementation, especially in diverse states like UP.
Key Figure
• 86th Amendment Act — 2002 (inserted Art. 21A) • NEP 2020 — recommends mother tongue instruction up to Grade 5.
Key Facts
- 1Art. 350A: Mandates that every state and local authority endeavor to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education.
- 2Art. 29(1): Protects the right of any section of citizens having a distinct language, script, or culture to conserve the same.
- 3Art. 30(1): Grants all minorities, whether based on religion or language, the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
- 4Art. 21A: Guarantees the Right to Education for children between 6 and 14 years, inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002.
- 5National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Recommends using mother tongue/local language as the medium of instruction up to Grade 5, and preferably up to Grade 8.
- 6Art. 351: Directs the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language and to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all elements of the composite culture of India.
Exam Angle
The Supreme Court's ruling on mother tongue education highlights the constitutional imperative to balance linguistic rights with educational access, posing implementation challenges for states in curriculum development and teacher training.
PYQ Connection
PRELIMS_FACT|ASSERTION_REASON: Constitutional provisions for language (Art. 350A, 29, 30), Right to Education (Art. 21A), NEP 2020.