Preserving Heritage Languages Through Schooling in India

Abstract

India is a multicultural and a multilingual society with multiple religions, castes that vary across its length and breadth. Generally in almost all states, especially the metros the three language formula of Government of India, is followed in schools, which means children learn two or more languages, besides the language of instruction. In some cities like Mumbai, Delhi etc the students are exposed to as many as four languages. Hindi and English however remain the dominant languages. In many cases home language is still different from the school language inspite of the fact that policies in Education emphasise early education in mother tongue or the regional language. Articles 29 and 30 of the Indian Constitution, too under ‘Cultural and Educational Rights’, protects the interests of the minorities.