Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan Explores Tamil as Medium of Instruction in Pilot Schools
In a significant development for regional language education, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has taken initial steps to identify specific Kendriya Vidyalayas where Tamil could be introduced as a medium of instruction on a pilot basis. This move follows a formal representation made by Coimbatore-based activist V Eswaran on January 28, advocating for Tamil to be adopted as the instructional medium at the Kendriya Vidyalaya in Sowripalayam.
Official Response and Framework
Dr R Senthilkumar, Deputy Commissioner of KVS, communicated the organization's stance in a letter dated February 23, addressed directly to activist Eswaran. The correspondence clarified that any decision to expand the use of regional languages as a medium of instruction in other Kendriya Vidyalayas would be contingent upon the outcomes and insights gained from this initial trial run.
The letter elaborated on the unique status of Kendriya Vidyalayas, noting they are classified as special category schools under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009. These institutions are primarily established to serve the educational requirements of children belonging to transferable central government and defense personnel, whose relocations may occur unpredictably during an academic year.
Under Section 2(p) of the RTE Act, 2009, Kendriya Vidyalayas are recognized as special category schools possessing a distinct character as defined by the appropriate government. Consequently, they operate in alignment with central government policies and the admission guidelines issued by KVS, all while functioning within the overarching framework established by the RTE Act.
Activist's Perspective and Legal Grounds
Reacting to the official response, activist V Eswaran expressed considerable optimism, describing it as "a big victory as well as a positive sign." He highlighted that state leaders have been persistently advocating for this change over the past five decades, emphasizing that mother tongue as a medium of education is a fundamental right of every citizen.
Eswaran pointed to Section 29(2)(f) of the RTE Act, which stipulates that the medium of instruction should, as far as practicable, be in the child's mother tongue. Additionally, he referenced the National Education Policy, 2020, which mandates mother tongue-based education from Classes I to V, a provision that has yet to be fully implemented across the board.
Looking ahead, Eswaran advocated for the pilot initiative to extend beyond Tamil Nadu, suggesting it should be implemented regularly in other states as well. He proposed that respective regional languages should be introduced as subjects for students currently enrolled in English-medium streams, thereby fostering linguistic diversity and cultural preservation within the educational system.
