School Education Conference organised to strengthen multilingual framework and classroom practices

• Over 200 experts discussed the role of advancing multilingual pedagogy and practice in the classroom at the school education conference
• Discussed the importance of promoting linguistic diversity to foster inclusive learning environments in the Indian school’s system

New Delhi, 4 January 2025: British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, today organised a landmark School education conference, in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), with an aim of enhancing multilingual pedagogy and practice in the classrooms for school education across India. This conference aligns with the latest policy reforms, including NEP (National Education Policy) 2020 and the NCF-SE (National Curriculum Framework for School Education).

The conference was inaugurated by Sh. Sanjay Kumar IAS, Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy along with Sh.Rahul Singh IAS, Chairperson, Central Board of Secondary Education and attended by representatives and policy makers from 200+ schools, educational institutions, and apex body leaders, including the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), English and Foreign Languages University.

The sessions centered on highlighting and sharing best practices in multilingual education and pedagogy, aligning with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Key discussions focusing on exploring innovative practices in school education that resonate with the NEP 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), with a particular emphasis on multilingual education. The conference also provided a platform for educators and policymakers to collaborate, driving forward crucial educational reforms. As part of the conference panel discussions, workshops and plenary sessions were delivered by trainers from various groups and UK universities, including renowned entities like the as University of Birmingham, Goethe University Frankfurt, ELT Consultant, English and Foreign Languages University and CBSE.

At the conference, under the theme “Enhancing Multilingual Pedagogy and Practice in the Classroom,” experts gathered to discuss ways of bringing together educators, policymakers, linguists, and pedagogical specialists. Their aim was to explore effective strategies, tools, and methods for incorporating multilingual practices into school education. The event focused on creating environments where children can flourish both academically and personally, recognising and embracing their linguistic backgrounds. As highlighted in the NEP 2020, multilingualism “not only promotes cognitive development but also enhances empathy and respect for other cultures and languages”—values that are essential in fostering a cohesive, inclusive, and pluralistic society.

Through engaging sessions and collaborative workshops, the conference deepened participants’ understanding of multilingual pedagogy, share best practices, and develop actionable insights aligned with India’s educational priorities and CBSE’s strategic focus areas.

Addressing the attendees at the conference, Sh. Sanjay Kumar, Secretary Education and Department of Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education said, “We have embarked on a vital journey to enhance multilingual pedagogy across India. Given our country’s rich linguistic diversity, it is essential to foster inclusive educational environments that embrace multiple languages, as emphasised by the National Education Policy 2020. Our shared efforts are focused on empowering educators with the tools and strategies needed to support multilingualism in the classroom, enabling students to engage more deeply with their learning while nurturing respect for cultural diversity. By championing multilingual education, we can ensure that all students have the opportunity to thrive academically and socially in a rapidly changing global landscape.”

Alison Barrett MBE, Director India, British Council said, “The Central Board of Secondary Education and the British Council have been working together to share knowledge and learning in support of transformative classroom change. Our annual school education conference is an opportunity for meaningful multi-stakeholder dialogue between educators, academics and school leaders on priority areas aligned to the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education. This year we turn our focus to enhancing multilingual pedagogy and practice, critical for supporting foundational literacy and numeracy skills and equipping students for a world of work that is increasingly multilingual.’’