3 hrs ago
Supreme Court Seeks Class 6 Exemption From Three-Language Policy
The CBSE wants students to learn three languages, including two Indian languages.
Some students had already started learning different languages before this plan changed.
The Supreme Court is considering whether current Class 6 students should receive the same relaxation as older students.
Older students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 will not take a board exam in the third language.
The government said almost all CBSE schools are ready for the new plan.
It said only about 1.2% of schools still have problems.
A judge suggested giving Class 6 students more time and starting the full plan in 2027.
The students’ lawyers said the court should make a clear decision because some children may have to change languages they have studied for years.
The Supreme Court asked the Centre and CBSE to consider extending the Class 7 exemption to current Class 6 students.
The exemption would mean no CBSE board examination in the third language when students reach Class 10.
The Centre said nearly 99% of about 28,000 CBSE-affiliated schools had adopted the policy and opposed exempting Class 6 this year.
The court discussed deferring full implementation until 2027 so schools could arrange teachers, textbooks and other resources.
The petitioners argued that changing students’ language choices after several years of study required a clear decision, not another committee.
- Who
- The Supreme Court, the Centre, the Central Board of Secondary Education, and petitioners including a petitioner school.
- What
- The court asked the Centre and CBSE to consider extending the exemption from the three-language framework to current Class 6 students.
- Where
- The matter concerns CBSE-affiliated schools across India.
- When
- The policy was discussed on September 17, with the latest court proceedings reported this week; full implementation is planned from the 2027 academic session.
- Why
- The exemption is being considered because some schools face implementation difficulties and some students have already studied different language combinations for several years.
Petitioners and accommodation advocates
Centre and CBSE policy position
Exemption for current Class 6 students
Petitioners and accommodation advocates
Current Class 6 students should receive the same relaxation as Classes 7, 8 and 9 because schools and students may not be ready for the change.
Centre and CBSE policy position
The Centre said it was not inclined to exempt the current Class 6 batch and maintained that the framework could be implemented during the current academic year.
Timing of full implementation
Petitioners and accommodation advocates
Justice Bagchi suggested accommodating the current Class 6 batch and beginning full implementation in 2027 after schools had more time to prepare.
Centre and CBSE policy position
The Centre said nearly all schools had adopted the policy and that books and other materials were available, supporting implementation from this year.
Need for a committee
Petitioners and accommodation advocates
The petitioners opposed creating another committee, arguing that the dispute required a clear decision and involved changing language choices made over several school years.
Centre and CBSE policy position
The Chief Justice suggested that a committee of senior officials could directly engage with schools and petitioners experiencing implementation difficulties.
Key facts
- Policy requirement
- Students must study three languages, including at least two Indian or “Bhartiya Bhashas”.
- Proposed full implementation
- The CBSE was asked to consider implementing the framework for Class 6 from the academic session beginning in 2027.
- Existing exemption
- Current students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 will not take a CBSE board examination in the third language when they reach Class 10.
- School readiness
- The Centre said nearly 99% of roughly 28,000 CBSE-affiliated schools had adopted the policy and had necessary facilities.
- Implementation gap
- About 1.2% of schools were reported to face implementation-related difficulties.
- Court schedule
- The pleas were listed after six weeks; CBSE was asked to file its reply within four weeks, followed by a two-week rejoinder period.
Quotes
Chief Justice Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India and member of the Supreme Court bench
“The Solicitor General has submitted that about 99 per cent of schools have adopted the third-language policy and have been provided the necessary facilities, and only about 1.2 per cent of the schools have not. In light of this, we direct that students of Class 6, like the students of Class 7, may be granted the same exemption as has been granted to students of Class 7.”
telegraphindia.com
“Why don't you do one thing? Appoint a committee of very responsible senior officers”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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