CBSE urges schools to prepare for mother tongue-based teaching in primary classes

India Today

26-05-2025

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked all affiliated schools to begin mapping the mother tongues of students from pre-primary to Class 5. This step is seen as part of a broader push to gradually introduce mother tongue-based teaching at the foundational level, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.At present, English remains the dominant medium of instruction in most CBSE schools, which number over 30,000 across India. However, a recent circular from the Board, dated May 22, encourages schools to start using the child's home language or a familiar regional language—referred to as 'R1'—as the primary medium of instruction, especially from pre-primary to Class 2.advertisementAccording to the circular, R1 should ideally be the child's mother tongue. In cases where that's not feasible, a familiar state or regional language can be used instead. For Classes 3 to 5, students may either continue with R1 or be introduced to a second language of instruction (R2).
Although the Board has previously issued advisories promoting the use of the mother tongue, this is the first time it has clearly indicated a possible shift toward making it compulsory in the future. Schools are expected to begin aligning their instructional content accordingly, preferably by the end of the summer break, although flexibility has been offered for those needing more time.This directive is rooted in both the NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023, which advocate for the use of the mother tongue in the foundational years—up to the age of eight—to deepen comprehension and concept learning. The NCFSE highlights that children understand and retain concepts more effectively when taught in a language they naturally speak at home.advertisementDirect link to check the official noticeA CBSE official noted that in Classes 1 and 2, the focus is primarily on learning two languages and basic mathematics. With the new guidelines, mathematics and other foundational subjects can now be taught in R1. NCERT, meanwhile, has already made textbooks for Classes 1 and 2 available in 22 Indian languages, with translation work underway for higher grades.To facilitate the transition, schools have been instructed to form NCF implementation committees by the end of May. These committees will be responsible for language mapping, identifying teaching resources, and overseeing curriculum adjustments. Teacher training workshops are also to be conducted to equip educators with strategies for multilingual teaching and language-sensitive assessment.While schools are encouraged to begin implementing the changes from July, those needing more preparation time can do so, provided they avoid unnecessary delays. Schools will be required to submit monthly progress reports to CBSE starting in July, and academic observers may visit institutions to offer guidance and support.This move marks a pivotal step toward multilingual education in India, aiming to bridge the gap between home and school environments for young learners.Must Watch