Three-Language Policy: The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for this academic year. The apex court's suggestion came in petitions challenging the CBSE's three-language policy.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice (CJI) Surya Kant, while deferring till September 17, asked the board to consider the possibility of accommodating Class-VI students in this academic session.
The bench told Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta, "Consider Class-VI this year... if they can be given some adjustment." SG Mehta requested the court to defer the hearing of the petitions as Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati was not available.
'Relevant Authorities Would Consider The Bench's Suggestion'
However, he assured that the relevant authorities would consider the bench's suggestion. Senior counsel for one of the petitioners said the matter should not be delayed by further adjournments as students eventually have to appear for the exams and this is causing anxiety among their parents.
The Supreme Court was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE policy making it compulsory for Class IX students to study three languages, including two Indian languages, which was to come into effect from July 1.
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What Is CBSE's 3-Language Policy?
According to a circular issued by the CBSE, the study of three languages, including at least two Indian languages, has been made compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1. The move is part of the 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. According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.
The senior counsel for one of the petitioners has contended that the CBSE has no jurisdiction or authority to frame the curriculum for classes 6 to 8 as this has to be done by the NCERT. On May 27, the top court had agreed to examine a plea challenging the policy and issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT seeking their responses.
On August 20, the Supreme Court stressed the need to address the problems arising from the CBSE policy, saying children should not be subjected to any kind of pressure. The bench also noted that one aspect that needs to be considered is how to create adequate human resource infrastructure with regard to the language options available.
He said, "If you have chosen Class 6 as the starting point, you can consider giving relief to its students this year. You can implement it from next year."
(With PTI/Jagran.com Inputs)