NEW DELHI: Prime Minister welcomed the start of engineering courses in the mother tongue as he highlights the focus on Indian languages in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Addressing a programme to mark the completion of one year of the policy, Modi said: “A tool has been developed for translating engineering courses in 11 languages. This emphasis on mother tongue as the medium of instruction will instil confidence in the students from poor, rural, and tribal backgrounds. Even in elementary education, the mother tongue is being promoted and the Vidya Pravesh Programme, launched today, will play a big role in that,” on Thursday.

Fourteen engineering colleges in eight states are going to start studies in five Indian languages – Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Bangla, as a pilot project in 2021-22.

Terming the “India’s new National Education Policy is one of the major factors in the ‘mahayagna’ (great exercise) of nation-building,” Modi highlighted the openness and absence of pressure in the policy after he launched 10 initiatives under NEP 2020 on Thursday. He said that the phase-wise unfolding of the education policy will also unfold the making of ‘new India.’

Modi launched Vidya Pravesh – ‘3-month play-based ‘school preparation module’ for all Class I Students’, integrated programme of teacher training NISTHA 2.0 and SAFAL – a competency-based assessment will be introduced in CBSE schools for grades III, V, and VIII as per NEP 2020, academic bank of credit, multiple entry-exit and sign language as a subject, among others in the presence of Governors of States, chief ministers/ education ministers from various States, representatives from educational institutions, autonomous bodies, students, teachers, youth organizations across the country, including union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Appreciating the teachers and other stakeholders in education, Modi said they have worked hard in the last year in implementing policy on the ground. He also noted that the Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme which has just been launched will make the youth future-oriented and open the way for an AI-driven economy.

“Today’s youth wants to decide their systems and their world on their own terms. They need exposure and freedom from the shackles and restrictions. New Education Policy, assures our youth that the country is full with them and their aspirations. The Artificial Intelligence programme which was launched today will make the student future-oriented and will pave the way for an AI-driven economy.

“Similarly, National Digital Education Architecture, (NDEAR) and National Education Technology Forum (NETF) will go a long way in providing a digital and technological framework to the entire country,” the PM said.

Modi said that apart from benefiting three lakh students who need sign language, according to Indian sign language the status of language subjects will also give a boost to Indian sign language and help the persons with disabilities.

Highlighting the absence of pressure in the new policy, Modi said: “There is openness at policy level and openness is also visible in the options available to the students. Options like multiple entry and exit will free students from the restrictions of staying in one class and one course. Similarly, modern technology-based Academic Bank of Credit systems will bring revolutionary change.”

Pradhan said that the NEP will help prepare global citizens who will merge the best of tradition with the most modern and global outlook. “These valuable human resources will shoulder collective responsibilities in the face of natural disasters and find solutions for issues that confront humanity.”