In a small classroom in Kalyanpur, northwest India, a lively group of five- and six-year-olds are engaged in a unique learning exercise. They’re identifying Hindi words that begin with the “p” sound. When someone shouts out “papaya,” the whole class joins in, their voices ringing out with enthusiasm. But for these children, who belong to an Indigenous tribe in Rajasthan, reading in Hindi— a language unfamiliar to them— is no easy feat.
To address this, local authorities launched a program in two districts aimed at teaching kids in their mother tongue. Months into the experiment, the results are promising. Teacher Jashoda Khokariya notes a significant change: “I initially used Hindi, but they didn’t respond well. They seemed scared and hesitant. Now, it’s like a miracle—every child is participating!”
While Indian schools boast high enrollment rates, actual performance lags behind. A daunting reality is that only 39% of Indian children can read at the expected level by age eight. By age 15, that number plummets to just 10%. Contributing factors include poverty, early marriage, lack of teacher training, and, crucially, language barriers.
Saadhna Panday from UNICEF emphasizes, “In our multilingual society, we must remember that children learn best when taught in their native languages.” Despite the importance of this, many students are taught in Hindi or English, which few families know well. Since 2020, the Indian Education Ministry has prioritized mother tongue instruction, but challenges remain.
Rajasthan is particularly suited for this initiative, as it has 250,000 primary students speaking 31 different languages. A staggering three-quarters struggle with Hindi. Shweta Fageria, director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, highlights the hurdles teachers face: “Many aren’t trained to teach in the kids’ languages.” This led to the creation of trilingual dictionaries using local dialects alongside Hindi and English.
At the Kuwadi Nichala Fala School, children dive into these dictionaries daily. Contrary to the high-tech education landscape in some parts of India, this school faces significant obstacles. Yet progress is evident. Lakshmi Kumari Patel, a teacher, says her students can read words now, and their confidence is growing. “They’re engaging in conversations without hesitation,” she adds.
Parents are also getting involved. Since they understand the language being taught, they’re able to support their children’s learning at home. Lalita Parmar, a grandmother, sees the value of education for her grandchildren: “If they can get jobs, it will change our family’s future.”
UNICEF’s Panday reports improvements in attendance and teacher organization in schools since implementing the program. “We believe this will lead to better learning outcomes,” she states. This initiative could impact India’s future economy, a perspective shared by economist Ashoka Mody in his recent book, “India is Broken.” He points out the country’s educational struggles, noting that delays in investment in education and health are detrimental.
By fostering learning in their native languages, these children not only benefit academically but also gain confidence, engagement, and a sense of belonging. As they build literacy skills, their futures— along with that of their families— are becoming brighter.
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