Lok Sabha Question No. 189 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Language Policy in Schools
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.189 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## Language Policy in Schools

## 189. SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether it is a fact that the Government has roped in NCERT to make Sanskrit popular in schools  and  also  to  train  five  lakh  teachers  in  the  next  three  to  four  years  under  Rashtriya Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (RMSA)  and  Sarva  Shiksha  Abhiyan  (SSA)  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b)   whether it is also a fact that NCERT has been asked to submit a status report within three months indicating the details of schools, classes covered, number of periods and marks alloted to Sanskrit and nine languages and also on the implementation of the three language formula in secondary schools and the two language formula in higher secondary schools; and (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR)

- (a)  Government  has  not  asked  the  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  &  Training (NCERT) to directly Sanskrit teachers.  However, there is a provision of in-service training of teachers  by  the  States/Union  Territories  under  the  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme,  namely, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), which includes Sanskrit teachers.
- (b) & (c) Government of India had constituted a Committee under the Chairmanship of Shri N. Gopalaswami, Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha, Tirupati to suggest a long term vision  and  road  map  for  the  development  of  Sanskrit.  The  Committee  has, inter-alia , recommended that the NCERT may be asked to submit a status report within three months on the  implementation  of  Three  Language  Formula  in  Secondary  Schools  and  Two  Language Formula in Higher Secondary Schools in all the Secondary & Higher Secondary Education Boards, which may indicate the languages offered, classes covered, marks and period allotted to  Sanskrit  and  other  languages  The  report  of  the  Committee  has  been  sent  to  NCERT  for appropriate action.

## No.F.4-25/2016-Sch.4 Government of India Ministry of Human Resource Development

## Department of School Education and Literacy

Sub: Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  Question  No.  189  for  18/7/2016  regarding Language Policy in Schools asked by ShrimatiVanaroja R.

Copy of  the  printed  version  of  Lok  Sabha  Unstarred  Question  No. 189for  18/7/2016  regarding  Language  Policy  in  Schools  asked  by ShrimatiVanaroja R. may kindly be perused:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Government has roped in NCERT to make Sanskrit popular in schools and also to train five lakh teachers in the next three to four years under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is also a fact that NCERT has been asked to submit a status report  within  three  months  indicating  the  details  of  schools,  classes  covered, number of periods and marks alloted to Sanskrit and nine languages and also on the implementation of the three language formula in secondary schools and the two language formula in higher secondary schools; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

We  have  obtained  information  from  NCERT,CBSE,EE  Bureau, SE-1Bureau, Sanskrit Division, Department of HE.

NCERT has  indicated  that  the  Department  of  Higher  Education has sent them a copy of the report of the Committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Shri N. Gopalaswami, Chancellor, Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeetha,  Tirupati  to  suggest  a  long  term  vision  and  road  map  for  the development of  Sanskrit  with  the  request  to  implement  the  recommendations which are implementable within the existing policy framework. The Committee has, inter-alia , recommended the following:

## I. Recommendation No. 1. Status Report

The  National  Council  of  Educational  Research  &  Training  (NCERT) may  be asked to submit a status report within three months on the implementation  of  Three  Language  Formula  in  Secondary  Schools  and  Two Language Formula in Higher Secondary Schools in all the Secondary & Higher Secondary  Education  Boards.  Further, it may  indicate in its report the following:-

- i) which are the three languages offered
2. ii) from which class to which class
3. iii) for how many marks
4. iv) how many periods are allotted to Sanskrit and other languages in a week
- v) at  Higher  Secondary  level,  whether  Sanskrit  is  being  offered  for students of all the three streams, i.e., Arts, Science and Commerce

II. Recommendation No. 3. Teaching Sanskrit through Sanskrit:

'…..For  implementing  Sanskrit  through  Sanskrit  in  a  phased  manner,  the following measures are to be taken immediately:

- i. A master plan to train five lakh Sanskrit teachers in next three to four years  under  the  Madhyamik  Shiksha  Abhiyan  and  Sarva  Shiksha Abhiyan
- ii. Developing Bridge Courses for teachers and students
- iii. Text Book revision in all the States
- iv. Sensitizing programs amongst Sanskrit teachers and students regarding the need for Teaching Sanskrit through Sanskrit
- v. A few pilot projects in every State in 2016-17
- vi. Ample production  of  print,  audio,  video,  digital,  online  learning  tools for both Sanskrit teachers and students

NCERT  has  developed  an  action  plan  for  2  years  for  implementation  of various recommendations of the Committee and sent the same to the D/Higher Education  for  consideration  and  providing  funds.  D/HE  has  expressed  their inability  to  provide  funds  and  advised  the  NCERT  to  get  the  funds  from  the D/School Education and Literacy of from the Bureau implementing the Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya National Mission on Teachers and Teaching (PMMMNMTT) vide their letter dated 14.7.2016 (p-29/Cor.).

On the basis of the above, a draft reply has been prepared and put up for approval please.