Which Article directs every State and local authority to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children of linguistic minority groups?

Article 350A directs every State and every local authority within the State to endeavour to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups.

The President's power:

The President may issue such directions to any State as he or she considers necessary or proper for securing the provision of such facilities.

Why it was added:

• After the reorganisation of states on a linguistic basis in 1956, many people found themselves living as linguistic minorities in the new states.
• There was a fear that their children would be forced to study in the language of the majority of the state.
• The States Reorganisation Commission recommended special safeguards for linguistic minorities.
• Article 350A was therefore added in 1956, to protect the educational rights of linguistic minorities.

Importance of education in the mother tongue:

• Educationists agree that children learn best when they are taught in their mother tongue in the early years.
• It helps them understand concepts better and keeps them connected with their culture.
• The National Education Policy (2020) also recommends that, wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Class 5 should be the mother tongue or home language.

Other provisions for minorities:

• Article 29 protects the right of any section of citizens having a distinct language, script or culture to conserve it.
• Article 30 gives all minorities, whether based on religion or language, the right to establish and administer educational institutions of their choice.
• Article 351 directs the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language.

Article 350:

Every person has the right to submit a representation for the redress of any grievance to any officer or authority of the Union or a State in any of the languages used in the Union or in the State.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 29 and Article 30 deal with the cultural and educational rights of minorities; Article 351 deals with the development of Hindi.