New Delhi, July 16 -- The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed concern over the introduction of a third language from Class 9 under the CBSE curriculum, saying it could increase academic pressure on students. The court suggested that if a new language is to be introduced, it should begin in Class 5 or Class 6, when children are better placed to adapt.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan made the observations while hearing the Tamil Nadu government's plea against a Madras High Court order directing the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district of the state.
"Union of India please don't have a third language from Class 9 level. It would unnecessarily increase the stress level of students. If you want to introduce a new language, then please do it at Class 5 or Class 6 level but not at Class 9 level," Justice Nagarathna told the Centre's counsel, asking her to convey the court's views to the government. She added that students begin facing academic pressure from Class 8 and that Class 9 is already demanding.
The bench clarified that it was not directly hearing a challenge to the CBSE's new language policy. That issue is being examined separately by another Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, which recently declined to stay the notification.
Tamil Nadu has opposed the setting up of JNVs, citing concerns over the three-language policy followed by the schools. During the hearing, the state's counsel said its objection was linked to the three-language framework.
Justice Nagarathna observed that the policy does not make Hindi compulsory. "The State language has to be taught, English has to be taught and any third language. It doesn't say Hindi," she said. When advocate G Priyadarshini, appearing for respondent NGO Kumari Maha Sabha, submitted that the National Education Policy states that no language should be imposed on any state, the judge asked the Tamil Nadu government, "You don't want Hindi, but if it's Sanskrit, what is the issue?"
The state's counsel replied that the third language becomes compulsory only from Class 9. Reacting to this, Justice Nagarathna said, "No, that's very bad. Class 9 is very stressful. Why don't you introduce it in Class 6th."
Recalling her school days, she said students had the option of learning Kannada, Hindi or Sanskrit from middle school, adding, "The earlier, the better."
The bench also urged the state not to reject Central schemes simply because they originate from the Union government. It noted that discussions between the Centre and the state on Navodaya schools were continuing and listed the matter for further hearing on August 11. The court also observed that a new government had assumed office in Tamil Nadu and its policy approach remained to be seen.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.