Observing that children should not be put under undue pressure, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre to find a workable solution to concerns surrounding the CBSE’s three-language policy for Class 9 students.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said there was nothing inherently wrong with introducing the policy, but the manner of its implementation needed to be examined.
"Some of these problems, you may revisit. There is no doubt that sooner or later, it has to be introduced. There is nothing wrong with that. But how it is to be streamlined so that whatever impediments or blockades are coming up, you may find a solution to those," the bench told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.
Court flags teacher availability
The bench said the government would need to consider whether there was adequate human-resource infrastructure to offer the different language choices.
"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," it said.
The court also asked the government to consider where the three-language requirement should begin and how the choice between two and three languages should be introduced.
"As the Union of India, you will also have to see that other than the CBSE, what is happening in other boards," the bench said.
"We don't want the children to come under any pressure," the CJI added.
Petitioners question CBSE’s role
The Supreme Court was hearing petitions challenging the CBSE policy requiring Class 9 students to study three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, from July 1.
Senior advocate Anand Grover, appearing for some petitioners, said the issue also concerned Classes 6 to 8, arguing that CBSE did not have the authority to frame their curriculum and that the NCERT was responsible for it.
The petitioners also raised concerns over the availability of qualified teachers for the additional language requirements.
"If they are introducing a language, they will also have plan for teachers. It is their obligation," the bench observed.
SC backs importance of languages
The court said learning a language was a valuable asset and noted that CBSE had offered 23 language options.
"Let us not have any impression of inferiority complex with respect to regional languages. We should respect all these languages as much as any other language," it said.
The bench also considered the possibility of setting up an expert committee to address difficulties arising from the policy.
CBSE policy linked to NEP 2020
The three-language requirement is part of CBSE’s alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023.
Under the policy, Class 9 students must study three languages, R1, R2 and R3, with at least two being native Indian languages. A foreign language can be chosen as the third language or as an additional fourth language.
The CBSE has said there will be no board examination for R3 at Class 10 level, while students will initially use Class 6 R3 textbooks until dedicated Class 9 material becomes available.
The matter has been posted for hearing after 10 days.