The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the Central Board of Secondary Education’s newly introduced three-language policy for Class 9 students, with Petitioners contending that the abrupt academic shift could seriously affect preparation for Class 10 board examinations. Filed by students and parents, the plea alleges that the additional language requirement places an unreasonable burden on students at a crucial stage of schooling.
The controversy surfaced after CBSE introduced a revised language framework aligned with the National Education Policy 2020, which promotes multilingual education through the “three-language formula.” Traditionally, students studied two languages until Class 10, generally English along with Hindi or another regional language. However, the revised framework reportedly introduces an additional language component from Class 9 onwards. Mentioning the matter before a Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued that students cannot reasonably be expected to suddenly adapt to the revised language requirement at such a crucial academic stage.
The Bench comprising CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Vipul M Pancholi observed that the issue required consideration and agreed to list the matter for hearing next week.
Senior Advocate submitted, “How can suddenly learn it and appear in 10th. This will create chaos.” The Court thereafter directed that the matter be listed in the coming week for further hearing.
Source PTI
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