NEW DELHI: Section 29 (2) (f) of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009 states that “medium of instruction shall, as far as practicable, be in child's mother tongue”. The National Curriculum Framework (NCF), 2005 emphasizes the importance of imparting primary education in the mother tongue of the child.
Since education is in the Concurrent List of the Constitution, States have the liberty to decide the medium of instruction in schools. The NCF clearly states that the Three-Language Formula is an attempt to address the challenges and opportunities of the linguistic situation in India. As per the “Three Language Formula” the first language to be studied must be the mother tongue or the regional language.
Ministry of Tribal Affairs extends support to State Governments / UTs for mother tongue-based education and development of bilingual Primers for enhancement of learning achievement level amongst the Scheduled Tribe Students. So far 82 language primers have been developed by various State Governments as detailed below:
State | Primers Details | Language / tribe covered |
Tripura | 14 Primers | Kokborak, halam, Mog, Garo, Kuki, Mizo |
Odisha | 5 Primers | Juang, Kisan, Koya, Oram, Saora |
Maharashtra | 11 Primers | Gondi, Halbi, Kokni, Kolami, Korku, Madiya, Mavchi, Pardhi, Pawari, Thakri |
Madhya Pradesh | 15 Primers | Halbi, Kudhukh, Bhili, Gondi, Korku, |
Kerala | 6 Primers | Kattunaikan, Paniyan |
Chhattisgarh | 5 Primers | Kukudu, Praja, Halbi, Bharia |
Jharkhand | 5 Primers | Kukudu, Khadia, Khorat |
Telangana | 5 Primers | Gondi, Koya, Kolami, Kondh, Banjara |
West Bengal | 16 Primers | Olchiki, Kuduk |
