GS2 GOVERNANCE:
- Global Language Barriers in Education
- 40% of the world’s population lacks access to education in a language they understand.
- This rises to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries.
- The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report titled “Languages Matter – Global Guidance on Multilingual Education” was released on International Mother Language Day’s 25th anniversary.
- Importance of Home Language in Education
- Students perform better when taught in their mother tongue.
- Challenges:
- Lack of trained teachers and learning materials.
- Community resistance to multilingual education.
- Scale of the Problem
- 250 million learners face language-based learning difficulties.
- The issue is more severe in linguistically diverse regions.
- Learning gaps have widened, especially for disadvantaged students.
- Historical and Contemporary Challenges
- Colonial legacies imposed dominant languages, causing educational disparities.
- Modern migration brings new languages into classrooms, making instruction more complex.
- Recommendations for Multilingual Education Policies
- Context-specific approaches are needed for language education.
- Bridging language programmes should be developed.
- Qualified teachers and tailored materials must be prioritised.
- Culturally responsive pedagogy should be integrated into teacher training.
- Teacher Training and Support Systems
- Teachers should be trained in multilingual instruction.
- Fluency in students’ languages should guide teacher deployment.
- Support systems beyond schools are essential for success.
- Role of Community and Parental Involvement
- Schools must collaborate with parents and communities.
- Engagement with diverse linguistic groups enhances inclusion.
- School leaders should promote multilingual-friendly environments.
Mains Question:
Discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing multilingual education in linguistically diverse countries. How can policy interventions ensure equitable learning outcomes?