MOTHER TONGUE VERSUS ENGLISH MEDIUM FOR EDUCATION: A DISCOURSE

This article examines the latest circular from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), urging primary schools to prioritise their home or regional language as the primary medium of instruction. The recommendation raises questions about whether maintaining English as the main medium of instruction in India promotes social inclusion and fair education. It revisits ongoing debates regarding the country's language of instruction. The article features insights from experts such as Anurag Behar, CEO of the Azim Premji Foundation; Peggy Mohan, a linguist and author in New Delhi; Shailaja Menon, a professor at Azim Premji University; Shambhavi Gupta, a child language policy specialist from Bengaluru; and Krishan Kumar, a former NCERT director and professor at the University of Delhi's Department of Education. The study highlights the importance of mother tongue-based education in fostering child-centred learning and building an inclusive, fair education system within India's multilingual environment. It provides policymakers with practical advice for implementing multilingual education effectively.