Tamil Nadu and Karnataka’s Language Policy

• Both states plan to implement a two-language formula for school education, contrasting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s three-language policy.

• Both states favor local languages, Tamil and Kannada, and English in school education.

• Tamil Nadu’s State Education Policy (SEP) reiterates its existing two-language policy, while Karnataka plans to discontinue its three-language policy.

• The SEP proposes Kannada or the child’s mother tongue as the medium of instruction up to Class 5, and preferably till Class 12.

• Other recommendations include moving away from NCERT textbooks and developing a Karnataka-specific curriculum and bilingual teaching methods.

• The SEP also aims to promote critical thinking, digital literacy, climate education, and social justice.

• The government pledges more support for public education and aims to offer special support for tribal students, first-generation learners, and students with disabilities.

• The Centre’s focus on language is seen as unproductive and controversial, disregarding the demand for English language learning and as a medium of instruction across states.

• The Centre must focus on critical challenges in school education and work with State governments to tackle them.