MULTILINGUAL EDUCATION AS A PATHWAY TO INCLUSIVITY

Abstract

India, known for its linguistic diversity, is home to over 19,500 languages and dialects, with 22 officially recognized languages under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. In such a multilingual landscape, education plays a pivotal role in ensuring inclusivity, equity, and social cohesion. This paper explores how multilingual education can act as a powerful tool for inclusivity in India, particularly in a country where language barriers often lead to marginalization. It examines the significance of mother tongue-based education, the benefits of bilingual and multilingual instruction, and the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in promoting linguistic inclusivity.