The University Grants Commission ( UGC ), India's main body for university education, has asked all universities and colleges to start a new initiative. This plan, called ' Learn One More Bharatiya Bhasha ' (Learn One More Indian Language), aims to help students learn more languages on their campuses.
The UGC has instructed colleges and universities to make sure students have the choice to study at least three Indian languages . This will usually include their regional language or mother tongue. Additionally, students will choose two other languages from the list of 22 languages recognised in the Indian Constitution . Unlike past language programs, the UGC wants these new courses to be flexible. Colleges can offer these as credit courses (where students earn marks), ability-enhancement courses (to build skills), or audit courses (for learning without formal assessment).
Structure of New Language Courses
For the first time, the UGC wants these new language courses to be set up in three clear levels . This structured approach helps students progress easily. The levels are:
- Basic: Designed for those who are completely new to a language and want to learn the fundamentals like basic grammar and common phrases.
- Intermediate: For students who have some existing knowledge and wish to improve their speaking, reading, and writing skills further.
- Advanced: Aimed at students who want to achieve a high level of fluency and deep understanding of the language, potentially for academic or professional use.
A key feature of this new plan is flexible entry and exit options . This means students can join a course at a level that matches their current knowledge, and they can leave when they achieve their learning goals. This flexibility is very helpful, especially for students who might move between states during their studies. The UGC also expects colleges to set clear goals for what students should be able to do after completing each course level. This ensures quality learning outcomes.
Benefits and Community Involvement
These new language classes are not just limited to university students. The UGC has asked colleges to also open these courses to their own faculty members (teachers) and to people from the local communities around the college. This will help spread language learning beyond just students and encourage wider participation.
Upon completing these courses, learners will receive micro-credentials , which are small, official certificates. These certificates will be recorded in the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) . The ABC system acts like a digital locker for all academic credits and achievements, making it easy to track and verify a person's learning journey.
The UGC highlights several benefits of this initiative. Firstly, it aims to strengthen cross-cultural understanding . By learning different Indian languages, students can connect better with people from various regions and appreciate diverse traditions. This exposure can enrich their overall education and personal growth. Secondly, it is expected to improve academic mobility . This means it will become easier for students to move and study in universities across different states. For example, a student knowing the local language of a new state might find it easier to adapt to their new college life and surroundings, leading to a smoother transition and better academic performance.
Challenges and State Reactions
However, the announcement of this multi-language plan has received mixed reactions across the country. States that traditionally follow a two-language model (usually their regional language and English) have expressed some concerns about implementing the new three-language requirement.
Many college administrators believe that putting this plan into action will require significant changes and resources. They point out that universities and colleges will need to:
- Recruit more teaching staff who are qualified to teach these additional Indian languages. Finding enough skilled teachers for various languages might be a challenge.
- Develop new course materials , textbooks, and teaching aids for all three levels of each language. This needs time and investment.
- Allocate sufficient time for careful planning and smooth rollout of the initiative. Rushing the process might affect the quality of education.
These concerns suggest that while the 'Learn One More Bharatiya Bhasha' initiative aims to broaden language skills and cultural ties, its successful implementation will depend on how effectively these practical challenges are addressed by the educational institutions and government bodies.
