Multilinguality in classrooms: looking at primary education in West Bengal

Multiplicity of forms is inherent to human language and culture. The world has witnessed an unequal distribution of power, especially in connection to language. Education is one such crucial domain in which the effect of this unequal distribution of power as a result of language can be seen. This linguistic imbalance in the field of education has caused much anxiety and tension. However, human societies have always been multilingual and multicultural, and education systems of different ages have always accommodated these differences. In the 21st century, there has been a renewed vigour and interest in educational alternatives that create space for multilinguality in schools. Mother tongue based multilingual education has become the main model of education to ensure equal access of education to all and quality education for all. But can we really hope to implement practically what we talk about in theory