How are CBSE schools adapting to the new language policy mandate?

India Today

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The idea that a child learns best in the language they first speak is gaining traction and policy support. As part of the National Education Policy (NEP), schools have been urged to adopt mother tongue-based instruction in the foundational years. This has prompted an immediate response from many leading institutions across India, not just in policy but in pedagogy.'Schools have started using the mother tongue as a medium in classroom instruction,' said Harish Sanduja, Director Schools and IT at Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions. 'Books, story material, and audio-visual aids in local languages are being introduced. Teachers are undergoing orientation, and bilingual learning tools are being created to support students in the shift.'advertisementIn a similar effort, Sanamdeep Chadha, Director of Genesis Global School, shared that her school has initiated a phased implementation, beginning from KG to Class 2. 'Our first step was tracing the language background of our students. We're recruiting teachers proficient in these languages and rolling out pilot classes before scaling up.'HUMAN CAPITAL CHALLENGE
One of the most immediate hurdles schools face is staffing, finding educators fluent in regional languages and trained in modern pedagogy.'Recruiting teachers for multiple regional languages is one massive undertaking,' said Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh. 'For now, we'll wait for further CBSE instructions and upskill the existing staff using digital tools and language proficiency incentives.'Genesis Global is taking a community-integrated route. 'We're working with local training centres to create short-term certification programs and bringing in retired teachers and community members,' said Chadha. 'This adds authenticity to language inputs in the classroom.'Meanwhile, in states like Uttar Pradesh, where Hindi dominates, the challenge is relatively muted. 'We do not face significant difficulty in teacher recruitment,' noted Sanduja. 'Routine training sessions, digital tools, and collaboration with language specialists are helping us gear up.'MANAGING THE MULTILINGUAL MOSAICIndia's diversity doesn't end in culture. The classrooms are multilingual by default. Balancing various mother tongues while ensuring comprehension is no small feat.'At our school, a multilingual classroom model is adopted, where the dominant mother tongue is used alongside English,' said Aditi Misra, Director at DPS 45 Gurgaon and School Director at Dharav High School. 'Visual aids, in-house worksheets, art integration, and peer support systems are part of our daily learning process.'Genesis Global takes a slightly different route. 'We are creating adaptive groupings by sharing language and linking instruction in the mother tongue to Hindi or English,' said Chadha. 'Peer-learning and experience-based strategies cross linguistic boundaries and foster understanding.'Sanduja adds that simple tools—like pictorial instructions and grouping by dialect can make inclusion natural. 'Teachers are already sensitive to linguistic differences and respect them.'BRINGING PARENTS ALONG No transition is complete without family buy-in. Schools are working hard to help parents understand and support this language-first approach.advertisement'Mini-PTMs, guest speaker programs, and cultural shows with 100% participation help us build partnerships with parents,' Misra explained. 'We'll now include research on cognitive benefits of mother tongue learning in newsletters, and co-create language-rich resources with the community.'At Genesis Global, the approach is participative. 'We conduct orientations and expose parents to global success stories,' Chadha said. 'Parents are even encouraged to serve as resource persons in the Preparatory and Foundational stages.''Folk songs and home tasks help promote solid home-school collaboration,' said Sanduja.REWRITING THE WAY WE ASSESSWith learning in a new medium, the methods of assessment must evolve too.'In the early years, we place greater emphasis on oral expression and concept comprehension,' said Misra. 'For transfer students, flexible evaluation parameters help during the transitional phase.'Sanduja supports the idea of oral assessments. 'Teachers use diagnostic tools and even cultural events for informal assessments,' he shared.Genesis Global is prioritising formative tools. 'We're giving importance to oral, visual, and activity-based assessments. For transfer students, we create bespoke language transition profiles,' said Chadha.NO CHILD LEFT BEHINDUnderstanding that not all students will instantly adapt, schools are putting in place remedial measures.'At our school, we offer remedial sessions, buddy support, and supplementary material,' said Misra. 'Teachers are trained to use bilingual strategies in mixed-language classrooms.'advertisementGenesis Global has also planned after-school and weekend language sessions. 'We're introducing bridging modules in the first term, using AV tools, peer mentoring, and teacher-led support groups,' said Chadha.Sanduja mentioned summer camps and individualised support as key tools. 'Visual aids and narration help students cross linguistic barriers,' he added.THE CURRICULUM CONUNDRUMSwitching the language of instruction affects content too.'Curricular content must be localised, simplified, and made contextually relevant,' said Misra. 'We develop in-house material in collaboration with teachers.'Genesis Global is working with curriculum experts to maintain intellectual depth. 'We are translating NCERT-based content and using culturally relevant examples,' Chadha added.Jaipuria schools are bringing folk stories and cultural components into subjects like Social Science. 'Charts and e-resources are being modified into the mother tongue,' said Sanduja.ENGLISH Vs MOTHER TONGUEWhile the mother tongue is important in early learning, English still holds sway in higher grades and competitive exams.'Education is globalised today, and English matters,' said Misra. 'We need to ensure a smooth transition to English in higher grades to meet student and parent aspirations.'Genesis Global is introducing Hindi and English gradually from Grade 2 or 3. 'Language labs and bridge courses help prepare students for national boards,' Chadha said.advertisementAt Jaipuria schools, bilingual instruction is introduced in middle school. 'By high school, students are equipped for English-medium assessments,' Sanduja confirmed.WHAT SCHOOLS NEEDAll educators agreed that government and board-level support is non-negotiable.'We look forward to systematic support—textbooks, digital content, and teacher training modules,' said Kapur.Chadha urged early availability of quality textbooks in local languages, teacher grants, and policy clarity.'Support in the form of regional E-content, assessment guidelines, and training resources is essential,' echoed Sanduja.India's schools are steadily stepping into a multilingual future. This shift isn't just about changing the medium of instruction—it's about respecting identities, boosting comprehension, and setting the stage for inclusive learning. As these educators show, success lies in partnership, patience, and persistent innovation. - EndsMust Watch