Article Abstract index5

Education is widely recognized as a fundamental instrument for individual empowerment, social transformation, and national development. In multilingual and multicultural societies, language plays a crucial role in shaping educational experiences and learning outcomes. The question of the medium of instruction has therefore remained a central concern in educational discourse across the world. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of India has renewed attention to the importance of mother tongue-based education by recommending the use of the home language, mother tongue, or local language as the medium of instruction at least until Grade 5 and preferably beyond. This policy initiative has been widely welcomed as a progressive step toward inclusive, equitable, and culturally responsive education. Long before the emergence of such policy frameworks, Pandit Raghunath Murmu, the creator of the Ol Chiki script and one of the most influential intellectual figures of the Santal community, emphasized the necessity of mother tongue-based education for the educational advancement and cultural empowerment of indigenous peoples. Through his literary works, educational activism, and linguistic innovations, Murmu advocated an educational system rooted in the language, culture, and worldview of the learners. This study critically examines the relevance of Pandit Raghunath Murmu educational philosophy in the context of NEP 2020. Using a qualitative and analytical methodology, the study explores the conceptual similarities between Murmu’s educational ideas and the contemporary educational reforms proposed under NEP 2020. The paper argues that Murmu’s vision anticipated many of the principles currently emphasized in educational policy, including multilingualism, inclusion, cultural preservation, and linguistic justice. The study concludes that Murmu’s educational thought remains highly relevant for the successful implementation of mother tongue-based education among tribal and indigenous communities in India and offers valuable insights for achieving educational equity and social justice.
Keywords: Pandit Raghunath Murmu, Mother Tongue-Based Education, Ol Chiki Script, Santali Language, Indigenous Education, National Education Policy 2020, Tribal Education, Multilingualism.