Context:

• India’s vast linguistic diversity—over 1,300 mother tongues and 121 recognised languages—forms a core part of its national identity and educational strength.
• Languages shape how children learn and understand the world, carrying generations of accumulated knowledge.
• When a language disappears, more than words are lost; entire worldviews and knowledge systems vanish.
• Protecting languages is therefore both a cultural and educational priority, making mother-tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) essential.
• This article highlights how India’s linguistic diversity is central to educational equity and national identity, and explains why mother-tongue-based multilingual education (MTB-MLE) is essential for improving learning outcomes, strengthening inclusion, and preserving cultural knowledge.

Mother Tongue as the Foundation of Quality Education

• International Mother Language Day and Youth Voices
  • As International Mother Language Day (February 21) highlights multilingual education, the focus is clear: children thrive when their languages and identities are recognised in classrooms.
  • Valuing linguistic diversity turns schools into spaces of inclusive learning and mutual understanding.
• UNESCO’s Advocacy for Multilingual Teaching
  • UNESCO has consistently promoted teaching in languages best understood by learners as a cornerstone of quality education.
  • Multilingual instruction strengthens comprehension, participation, and overall educational outcomes.

State of the Education Report 2025: Bhasha Matters

• Focus on Mother-Tongue-Based Multilingual Education
  • The seventh edition of UNESCO’s State of the Education Report for India (2025), titled Bhasha Matters, examines the status of Mother Tongue and Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE).
  • It combines global research, national evidence, and practical insights.
• Key Findings and Policy Directions
  • The report shows that MTB-MLE is both pedagogically effective and transformative.
  • It proposes 10 policy recommendations aimed at building an inclusive and equitable education system that views linguistic diversity as an asset.
• What Is Working?
  • Successful practices highlighted include bilingual learning materials, improved teacher preparation, and innovative digital tools that expand multilingual resources for classrooms and communities.

Language as a Barrier to Learning

• The Scale of the Challenge
  • Globally, over 250 million learners lack access to education in a language they fully understand.
  • In India, about 44% of children begin school in a language different from the medium of instruction, adding an extra burden to early learning.
• Impact on Foundational Learning
  • When children must first decode an unfamiliar language, it weakens foundational literacy and numeracy.
  • This can lead to cumulative learning gaps, reduced confidence, and higher dropout risks.

Policy Response in India

• The National Education Policy (2020) and the National Curriculum Frameworks (2022, 2023) place the child’s home or mother tongue at the centre of early education to improve comprehension and learning outcomes.
• Promising Practices Across States
  • Odisha’s Multilingual Education Model - Odisha runs a multilingual programme covering 21 tribal languages in 17 districts, benefiting nearly 90,000 children.
  • Digital and AI-Driven Solutions - Telangana uses DIKSHA-enabled multilingual resources. National initiatives such as PM eVIDYA, Adi Vaani, BHASHINI, and AI4Bharat leverage digital platforms and AI to create local-language content and support teachers.
• Roadmap for Systemic Reform
  • Policy and Teacher Development - The Bhasha Matters report recommends clear state-level language policies, stronger multilingual teacher recruitment, and reforms in pre-service and in-service training.
  • Materials, Technology, and Community Participation - It calls for quality multilingual materials, inclusive assessments, community engagement, responsible language technology investment, and sustainable financing.
  • National Mission for MTB-MLE - A proposed National Mission for Mother-Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) aims to coordinate efforts across ministries, research bodies, civil society, and technology partners to scale successful pilots into nationwide reform.

Linguistic Diversity as a Strength

• Driver of Equity and Social Cohesion
  • India’s linguistic diversity is not an obstacle but a catalyst for equity, identity, and unity. Teaching children in languages they understand strengthens learning outcomes and supports inclusive development.
• A Moment for Educational Transformation
  • With supportive policy frameworks and successful State-level initiatives, India stands poised for meaningful educational reform grounded in multilingual learning.

International Mother Language Day: A Renewed Call

• Recognising Every Learner’s Language - Education systems must value each child’s language to enhance academic success, affirm identity, and promote well-being and active participation in society.
• Youth as Catalysts for Change - When young voices are included, multilingual education evolves from policy to movement. India’s multilingual future is being shaped by its youth, marking a pivotal national moment.