UNESCO’s Report on Multilingual Education

A new report by UNESCO’s Global Education Monitoring (GEM) team, titled ‘Languages Matter: Global Guidance on Multilingual Education’, highlights that 40% of the global population lacks access to education in a language they understand. This percentage rises to 90% in some low- and middle-income countries, affecting over 250 million learners worldwide.

Key Findings of the Report

• The report comes on the 25th anniversary of International Mother Language Day and underscores the need for multilingual education policies.
• It is particularly relevant to India, where the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates education in the mother tongue.
  • However, the three-language policy has faced opposition from some States.
• Global Language Barriers in Education
  • 40% of the world’s population cannot access education in a language they understand.
  • In some low- and middle-income countries, this figure rises to 90%.
  • 31 million displaced youth face language barriers due to migration.
  • Colonial history has left many countries with education systems dominated by imposed languages, leading to educational disparities.

Challenges in Implementing Multilingual Education

• Teacher Shortage: Many teachers lack the training to teach in local languages.
• Lack of Resources: Textbooks and learning materials are often not available in home languages.
• Community Resistance: Some societies still prefer dominant languages over regional languages for education.
• Financial Constraints: Governments struggle to fund multilingual education programs due to budget limitations.

UNESCO’s Recommendations

To tackle these challenges, the GEM report suggests:

• Context-Specific Language Policies: Countries must design education policies based on their linguistic diversity. Gradual language transition must be supported with curriculum adjustments and proper learning materials.
• Teacher Training & Resource Development: Teachers should be trained to teach in both home and second languages.
• Supporting Multilingual Students: Early childhood educators must be trained in culturally and linguistically responsive teaching.
• Inclusive School Leadership & Community Engagement: School leaders should be trained to promote multilingual inclusivity. Governments should encourage parental and community involvement to bridge linguistic gaps.

Why This Matters for India?

• Multilingual education aligns with India’s NEP 2020, but challenges remain in implementation.
• Opposition to the three-language policy by some States indicates a need for policy refinement.
• Investment in teacher training and learning materials is critical for success.
• Migrants and tribal communities face language barriers, making multilingual policies crucial for equitable education.