Allow exams in regional languages: UGC

The University Grants Commission has asked universities to allow students to write exams in local or regional languages even if the course is offered in English medium, commission chairperson M Jagadesh Kumar said on Wednesday. The commission chairperson has written to the vice-chancellors of all universities asking them to promote translation of original writing in local languages and use local language in the teaching-learning process at universities. Emphasising that higher education institutions play a major role in preparing textbooks and learning material, Kumar said, “It is necessary to strengthen these efforts and promote such initiatives as writing textbooks in the mother tongue or local languages and encouraging their use in teaching.” “Therefore, the Commission has requested the universities that students be allowed to write the answers in local languages in examinations even if the programme is offered in English medium, and promote translation of original writing in local languages and use local language in the teaching-learning process at universities,” he said in the letter. Responding to this concern, Kumar said, “The universities can make the effort to find the evaluators who know the local language.” Meanwhile, the UGC has also asked universities to provide details of discipline-wise lists of textbooks and study material available with them in regional or local languages.