SC voices concern over CBSE’s third language policy from Class 9 onwards

The Supreme Court expressed concern over introducing a third language in Class 9 under CBSE, saying it may increase student stress. The bench suggested starting language learning in Classes 5 or 6 instead. Remarks came during a hearing on Tamil Nadu’s JNV concerns

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday voiced concern over the introduction of a third language in Class 9 under the CBSE curriculum, observing it would increase the stress level of students and suggesting it be introduced in Class 5 or Class 6 so that students can cope with it.

A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan orally asked the Centre to not introduce a third language in Class 9 level.

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“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. Class nine is full of stress, it starts from Class 8 onwards,” Justice Nagarathna told the counsel, appearing for the Centre, and asked her to convey the feeling of the court to the government.

The remarks were made during the hearing of the Tamil Nadu government’s plea against a Madras High Court directive to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district of the State.

The Tamil Nadu government has consistently opposed the setting up of JNVs, over concerns with regard to the three-language policy curriculum followed by the schools.

The bench was not directly dealing with the issue of new policy of CBSE but the court made observations on the timing of introduction of third language in schools.

Another apex court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant is already examining issues with regard to challenge to the new policy of the CBSE and recently refused to stay the notification.