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DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

GS-II :
  • 02 August, 2020

  • 2 Min Read

NEP drops Mandarin from language list

NEP drops Mandarin from the language list

Context

  • The National Education Policy (NEP) has dropped Mandarin (Chinese) from its list of foreign languages that can be taught in schools.

News

  • The language was included in the draft policy released in May 2019, but is missing from the final document approved by the Cabinet.
  • However, Higher Education Secretary has pointed out that Schools are free to offer other languages.
  • The plan for teaching Mandarin in Indian schools and Hindi language instruction in Chinese schools was part of an Education Exchange Programme signed by both countries in 2006, which was renewed by Prime Minister Modi during his visit to China in 2015.
  • The plan included a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2012.
  • In 2014, the CBSE then introduced Mandarin in some schools, but the plan floundered due to the unavailability of Chinese language teachers.
  • Since 2017, the government has systematically curbed annual scholarship programmes with China as well.
  • The U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea offer Chinese at the school level.

Source: TH


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