The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from the three-language policy for the current academic session.
A three-judge
bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant deferred the hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE’s three-language policy to September 17 and asked the Board to explore whether some accommodation could be provided to Class 6 students this year, reported PTI.
“Consider Class 6 for this year… If they can be given some accommodation,” the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, told Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
Mehta sought an adjournment as Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, who was representing the matter, was unavailable. He, however, assured the court that the concerned officials would consider its suggestion.
“All of us would sit together and revert to your lordship,” the Solicitor General said.
Appearing for one of the petitioners, senior counsel urged the court not to allow further delays, pointing out that students would eventually have to appear for examinations and that the uncertainty was causing anxiety among parents.
The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE’s decision to make the study of three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1. Under the policy, students have to study at least two native Indian languages. A foreign language can be chosen only as the third language after studying two Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.
The policy is part of CBSE’s alignment of its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023.
What Did The Supreme Court Say Earlier?
The court had, on August 20, stressed the need to find a solution to concerns arising from the implementation of the three-language policy and said children should not be placed under unnecessary pressure.
The bench had observed that there was nothing inherently wrong with introducing the policy, but said the petitioners’ concern was primarily about the manner in which it was being implemented.
The court had also highlighted the need to consider whether adequate human-resource infrastructure was available to support the range of language options being offered to students.
“If you have chosen Class 6 as the starting point, you may consider giving a reprieve to Class 6 students of this year. You can introduce it from next year,” the bench had said.
One of the petitioners’ senior counsel has argued that CBSE does not have the authority to frame the curriculum for Classes 6 to 8 and that this responsibility rests with the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
On May 27, the Supreme Court agreed to examine a petition challenging the policy and issued notices to the Centre, CBSE and NCERT seeking their responses.
What Does The CBSE Circular Say?
According to a CBSE circular issued on May 15, the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, has been made compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1.
The Board said the change was aimed at aligning its scheme of studies with NEP 2020 and NCF-SE 2023.
Students opting for a foreign language can choose it as the third language only after studying two native Indian languages. Alternatively, they can take it as an additional fourth language.
