New Delhi: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu Saturday encouraged students to freely speak in their mother tongue. He expressed concern that some schools “look down upon the student’s mother tongue and encourage them to speak and learn exclusively in English”.

He pointed out that “learning and freely communicating in one’s mother tongue not only improves the educational outcomes, but more importantly, boosts self-esteem and gives a sense of cultural belonging to the students”.

Referring to National Education Policy’s recommendations, the Vice President wanted a shift in the medium of instruction at the primary level to mother languages and to gradually extend this to higher levels too.

“The importance of mother tongue in shaping our childrens’ personality and moulding their character cannot be overstated”, he stressed.

Calling punctuality and discipline as very important attributes for success, he exhorted the students to aim high and work hard to progress in life.

Crediting ‘discipline, dedication, commitment and hard work’ for his reaching the second highest constitutional position in the country, Shri Naidu stressed that “hard work has no substitute.”

The Vice President also called upon schools to forge a strong moral character in children and inculcate the national values of oneness, harmony and universal brotherhood from a young age.

He said “our founding fathers envisioned an India that does not discriminate on the basis of religion, race, caste, sex, or even place of birth. Such inclusive and pluralistic values are what makes India a special nation among the comity of nations. Take a pledge to practice and protect these values against all odds”.

The Vice President was inaugurating the Golden Jubilee celebrations of Hyderabad Public School, Ramanthapur in Hyderabad today.