Allow students to write exams in local languages: UGC

In a bid to promote local languages, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has asked all universities across the country to allow students to write exams in local or regional languages.

The UGC has said even if the course is offered in English medium, students should be given the option to write answers in local languages during exams.

UGC chairman Professor M. Jagadeesh Kumar has said that translation of original writing in local languages and use of local language in the teaching-learning process at universities should be promoted in universities.

“Promotion and regular use of Indian languages in education is an important area of focus in the National Education Policy 2020. The policy emphasizes the importance of teaching and communication in local languages. It stresses the need to promote communication in all Indian languages for better cognitive achievement and overall personality development of the learners,” he said.

According to the UGC Chairman, the teaching-learning process in local languages has benefited students, especially from socially and economically disadvantaged groups. However, the academic ecosystem continues to be English medium-centric.

“If teaching, learning and evaluation are strengthened in local languages, it will increase the participation of students in teaching-learning, which will increase their success rate. This will specifically strengthen efforts to achieve the envisaged goal of increasing the Gross Enrollment Ratio in higher education from 27 per cent to 50 per cent by 2035,” Prof. Kumar asserted.

According to the UGC chairman, higher education institutions have an important role in creating text books in local languages and promoting the teaching-learning process. There is a need to strengthen the efforts being made to encourage use of local languages in teaching, including the writing of textbooks in local languages and translation of standard books in other languages.

In order to implement these arrangements, the UGC has also sought information from various universities. Under this, universities have been asked to list subject-wise textbooks which are available in local languages. Further, a subject-wise list of major subjects has been sought for which textbooks should be translated into local languages.

However, the UGC move is drawing mixed reaction. Some argue that it will further deteriorate the standards of education in many universities which are already known for poor and substandard education.

Further, they argue that promotion of local language should begin from primary education. It will not serve any purpose if the kids are forced to focus only on English language and efforts are made to promote local language at university level. Instead, it will only leave the students confused and perform poor in their studies.