Rabindranath Tagore, a renowned Indian poet and education reformer, believed that children should be educated in their mother tongue. He emphasized the importance of using the native language as the medium of instruction because it helps students learn more effectively and fosters a deeper connection with their cultural heritage. Teaching in the mother tongue makes learning more accessible and meaningful for students. Here's why the other options are incorrect:
- Option (1): Mother tongue: This is the correct answer, as Tagore advocated for using the mother tongue as the primary medium of instruction. He believed that education should be rooted in the student's native language to enhance understanding and engagement.
- Option (2): Bengali: While Tagore was from Bengal and wrote extensively in Bengali, he did not specifically advocate for Bengali as the universal medium of instruction. His focus was on the mother tongue, which varies depending on the region or community.
- Option (3): Hindi: Although Hindi is one of India's official languages, Tagore did not promote Hindi as the sole medium of instruction. His emphasis was on the mother tongue, which could vary across different regions.
- Option (4): English: While English has been used as a medium of instruction in some contexts, Tagore did not prioritize it over the mother tongue. He believed that education should begin in the language that students are most comfortable with. Answer: $\boxed{\text{Mother tongue}}$