The Role of English in Multilingual Education: Insights from Nagaland

In the wake of the National Education Policy 2020, Multilingual State of India Nagaland is facing a different challenge in aligning its educational language framework with that of the National policy directives. NEP promotes multilingualism and mother tongue-based education and this is where the state's linguistic diversity is posing logistical hurdles in implementing a comprehensive mother tongue-based and multilingual education system. With this issue in hand, this paper delves into the complexities of multilingualism in Nagaland education settings and examines the role of English in Nagaland's education system. The study primarily focuses on the challenges of the three-language formula addressing the pertinent issues and proposing pathways for its effective implementation. The paper presents arguments for why the role of English should be expanded in the context of Nagaland and discuss the challenges of having mother tongue-based education.