India, with its rich linguistic diversity, has over 22 officially recognized regional languages and hundreds of dialects. In the context of education, particularly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), this diversity poses both a challenge and an opportunity. Ensuring that STEM education is accessible in regional languages can democratize knowledge, make learning more inclusive, and foster a deeper understanding among students. India’s journey towards inclusive STEM education has taken a significant turn with the growing emphasis on regional languages.

Legislative changes and initiatives

1. The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act) – This act mandates the use of the mother tongue as the medium of instruction in primary education, laying the foundation for STEM learning in regional languages.
2. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 – The NEP 2020 is a landmark policy document that emphasizes the importance of mother tongue and regional languages in education. It advocates the use of regional languages as the medium of instruction at least until grade 5, and preferably till grade 8 and beyond, wherever possible. The policy aims to enhance comprehension and learning outcomes by enabling students to study in a language they understand best.
3. All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) initiatives – In 2021, the AICTE launched an initiative to offer technical courses in regional languages. This move included translating textbooks and course materials for engineering programs into 11 regional languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Bengali. This initiative aims to broaden the reach of technical education and make it more inclusive.
4. State government initiatives – Several state governments have taken proactive steps to promote STEM education in regional languages. For instance, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have developed comprehensive frameworks to integrate regional languages into STEM education, supporting the creation of educational resources and teacher training programs in local languages.
5. Three-language formula – The three-language formula, first introduced in the National Policy on Education 1968, continues to play a pivotal role in promoting multilingualism. It encourages students to learn their regional language, Hindi, and English, thereby fostering linguistic diversity and enabling students to engage with STEM subjects in their mother tongue.

Universities offering STEM courses in regional languages

Several universities across India are pioneering the delivery of STEM courses in regional languages, breaking down language barriers and expanding access to quality education.

• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
• Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi
• Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi
• University of Hyderabad
• Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)
• Anna University, Chennai

These universities are leading the way in bridging the language gap and ensuring that students from various linguistic backgrounds have equal opportunities to pursue STEM careers.

Positives of STEM education in regional languages

1. Improved comprehension and retention: Studies show that students understand and retain information better when taught in their mother tongue. By offering STEM education in regional languages, students can grasp complex concepts more easily, leading to better learning outcomes.
2. Inclusivity and accessibility: Providing STEM education in regional languages makes it accessible to a broader demographic. Students from rural areas and non-English speaking backgrounds can pursue STEM fields without the language barrier, fostering inclusivity.
3. Cultural relevance and identity: Learning in one’s mother tongue helps preserve cultural identity and makes education more relevant to the local context. It promotes a sense of pride and belonging among students, enhancing their educational experience. For instance, science education from the Indic perspective could bring to the fore, our ancient wisdom in several advanced scientific domains such as astronomy, architecture, and mathematics.

Negatives of STEM education in regional languages

1. Availability of qualified teachers – Finding teachers who are proficient in both STEM subjects and regional languages can be a challenge. Training existing teachers or recruiting new ones with the required skills is essential.
2. Resource limitations – Developing high-quality educational materials in multiple regional languages requires significant resources, including time, money, and expertise. There is often a lack of adequate textbooks, laboratory manuals, and digital resources in regional languages. However, with seamless translation tools now widely available, instant translation of English text into any regional language is not a barrier any more.
3. Standardization issues – Ensuring consistency and standardization across different languages can be challenging. Variations in terminology and scientific vocabulary might lead to discrepancies in understanding and interpreting concepts.
4. Limited scope for higher studies – Most advanced research and higher education in STEM fields are conducted in English. Students educated solely in regional languages may face challenges when transitioning to higher education or research roles that require proficiency in English.
5. Employment barriers – In the global job market, proficiency in English is often a prerequisite. Students educated primarily in regional languages may find it challenging to compete for jobs that require advanced English language skills, potentially limiting their career prospects.

Bridging the language gap in STEM education

Addressing the language gap in STEM education requires a multi-pronged approach. This includes promoting teacher training programs to equip educators with the necessary language skills and pedagogical expertise.

Investing in the development of high-quality STEM textbooks and learning materials in regional languages is crucial. Collaboration between universities, research institutions, and government agencies is vital to create a comprehensive framework for STEM education in regional languages.

Public awareness campaigns and initiatives are essential to promote the value of STEM education in regional languages and encourage students to pursue careers in these fields. By actively engaging with communities and promoting positive narratives about regional language STEM education, we can create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment.

Reality check – where things stand

Let us get a sense of how equipped we are today as a nation to step up to this massive challenge. How prepared we are in terms of textbooks, reference material, research papers available in regional languages, in the public domain for the students’ benefit. Scouring through various government agency and university websites would be a good test case.