The Gujral Committee Report - Language in India

of English as the medium of instruction for every subject except the classical and local languages. For the secondary stage, it recommended the use of the Indian languages as media of instruction. retention
Despite these recommendations, some Provincial Governments did not abandon the use of English as the medium of instruction at the secondary stage. In Hindi and Urdu speaking areas, the official reasons advanced in support of retaining the English 4.28
were the following (i) Parents as well as pupils desired knowledge of English as the means to public medium
(ii) In multi-lingual or by-lingual areas it was not possible for financial reaons to Impart employment.
through all local languages. instruction
The absence of a scientific terminology, lack of competent Indian language teachers and absence of text books made this proposition (i.e. instruction through local languages) not feasible. (iii)
The difficulty of script in Hindi-Urdu areas created more communal tension and it was prefeable to continue with English. (iv)
last reason advanced was symptomatic of the mind that has assiduously tried to The
the Indian people not only on the basis of religion but also on that of language and script. divide
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The Gujral Committee Report
4.29 During the Second World War, the Government drew up a comprehensive plan for their post. war educational policy. This was embodied in what is known as the Sargent Plan, named after Sir John Sargent, the then Educational Adviser to the Govenment,
on Urdu