GUWAHATI: The Centre has reaffirmed its commitment to the Three-Language Policy in schools, ensuring greater flexibility and the promotion of multilingualism across the country. Responding to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, March 19, Minister of State for Education, Jayant Chaudhary, outlined key steps being taken to enhance language learning options and boost teacher training initiatives. Under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Three-Language Formula remains in effect, with provisions ensuring no language is imposed on any state.
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The languages taught will be based on the choices of states, regions, and students, with the condition that at least two of them must be native to India. Students will also have the option to switch languages in Grades 6 or 7, provided they achieve basic proficiency in three languages by the end of secondary school.
The government has directed national-level school systems such as Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas to ensure adequate staffing. However, as education falls under the Concurrent List, the recruitment of teachers in most schools remains the responsibility of state governments and Union Territory administrations.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education has been implementing specialised training programmes through the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) and its Regional Institutes of Education (RIE). The NISHTHA (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) programme is a key initiative providing training to teachers nationwide, with a focus on foundational stage education in alignment with the NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.
The government has increased budgetary allocations for teacher training under the Samagra Shiksha scheme, with ₹1,091.07 crore allocated for the financial year 2024-25, up from ₹700.12 crore in 2023-24.
The renewed focus on multilingual education is expected to enhance students' language skills while fostering national unity and cultural appreciation. With increased flexibility and dedicated resources, the Three-Language Policy aims to equip students with a linguistic foundation for the future.
