Supreme Court Considers Exemption from Three-Language Policy for Class 6 Students
Supreme Court's Directive on Language Policy
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to contemplate an exemption from the three-language policy for students in Class 6 for the ongoing academic year. A three-judge panel, headed by Justice Surya Kant, postponed the hearing on this issue until September 17, instructing the CBSE to investigate potential relief options for the students.
The bench advised Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to consider the situation for Class 6 this year, suggesting that some form of relief could be beneficial. Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana were also present on the bench.
**Discussion on the Three-Language Policy**
Solicitor General Mehta requested a delay in the hearing due to the absence of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati. He assured the bench that the relevant officials would take the suggestions into account. A senior counsel representing one of the petitioners argued against further adjournments, emphasizing the urgency as students are approaching exam time, which is causing distress among parents.
The Supreme Court was reviewing petitions that challenge the CBSE's policy requiring the study of three languages, including two Indian languages, for Class 9 students starting July 1. On August 20, the Court highlighted the necessity of addressing the challenges posed by the three-language policy for Class 9, asserting that children should not face undue stress. The Court acknowledged that while the policy's implementation is not inherently flawed, the primary concern of the petitioners lies in how it is being executed.
**Future of the Three-Language Policy**
The Supreme Court noted that it is crucial to ensure that adequate teachers and resources are available for the languages offered. The Court suggested that if the policy is to be enforced from Class 6, it might be wise to provide some leniency for this year's students. It proposed that the three-language policy could be introduced in the next academic year.
A senior counsel for one of the petitioners pointed out that the responsibility for developing the syllabus for classes 6 to 8 falls under the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). He raised concerns about whether the CBSE has the authority or capability to create a syllabus for these grades.
On May 27, the Supreme Court had agreed to hear the petition contesting the policy and had issued notices to the Centre, CBSE, and NCERT for their responses. According to a CBSE circular dated May 15, it is mandatory for Class 9 students to study three languages starting July 1.
**Language Requirements**
Among these languages, at least two must be Indian. Students choosing a foreign language must first study two Indian languages, with the foreign language being an option as the third. Additionally, a foreign language may be selected as a fourth or supplementary language. The CBSE has characterized this adjustment as a move towards aligning the educational framework with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) 2023.