The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 rightly recommends that primary education be imparted in the mother tongue — a move that deserves wholehearted support.

The recent directive from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to implement this recommendation without delay is equally commendable.

Languages, after all, are tools for communication. We can learn additional languages at any stage of life, but meaningful learning happens only in a language we truly understand. Unfortunately, since colonial times, English has dominated our education system — initially introduced by the British to communicate with locals, it now persists as the primary medium of instruction in many schools.

At home, children naturally absorb the mother's words and songs, yet in school, they are expected to grasp complex subjects like mathematics, science, and social science through an unfamiliar language. This often reduces learning to rote memorization, with little comprehension. As a result, many young learners struggle, developing learning gaps and losing interest in studies altogether.

Research and experience show that language profoundly shapes understanding. Knowledge grows best when the medium of instruction aligns with a child's first language — especially during the formative years between ages 6 and 10, when foundational skills take root. Middle and high school education can then build upon this strong base.

When the primary years fail to provide this foundation, students carry weak understanding into higher classes, undermining their academic confidence and success. Sadly, despite this reality, English remains the dominant medium in many primary schools — even in rural areas where families may not use it at all at home. Parents, often unaware of the benefits of mother tongue education, equate English-medium schooling with better prospects.

This misplaced priority burdens children with a double task: mastering a foreign language and simultaneously learning new concepts in it. No wonder many fail to grasp lessons fully.

Therefore, ensuring that primary education happens in the mother tongue is not just a policy preference — it is a necessity for genuine learning. The CBSE's move to align with NEP 2020 is a step in the right direction. If fully embraced, it will empower young learners, enrich literacy, and strengthen India's educational future.

--Nathan Sambandam, Education Advisor.