The Supreme Court on Thursday raised concerns over the timing of introducing a third language under the CBSE curriculum, observing that bringing in an additional language at the Class 9 level could add unnecessary pressure on students preparing for board examinations.
The remarks were made by Justice BV Nagarathna while hearing an appeal filed by the Tamil Nadu government against a Madras High Court order directing the state to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district.
Tamil Nadu has repeatedly opposed the setting up of JNVs in the state, citing objections to the three-language policy followed in these schools.
While the validity of the CBSE's three-language policy was not directly before the court in the present matter, Justice Nagarathna commented on the stage at which students should begin learning a third language.
The policy itself is already under challenge through separate public interest petitions before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The Supreme Court has not stayed its implementation and has scheduled the matter for hearing next week.
During Thursday's hearing, the counsel representing Tamil Nadu said the state's primary concern was linked to the three-language formula.
Justice Nagarathna clarified that the policy does not specifically require Hindi to be introduced as the third language.
"The State language has to be taught, English has to be taught, and any third language. It doesn't say Hindi," she observed.
Advocate G. Priyadarshini, representing the respondent NGO that had approached the High Court, highlighted that the National Education Policy states that no language should be imposed on any state. Justice Nagarathna then asked the Tamil Nadu government, "You don't want Hindi, but if it's Sanskrit, what is the issue?"
The state's counsel responded that the third language becomes mandatory only from Class 9.
Justice Nagarathna disagreed with the timing, saying, "No, that is very bad. Ninth standard is stressful. Why do you introduce a new language in 9th? You introduce it in 6th."
The judge referred to her own school years and recalled that students began studying a third language during middle school because it was required for the SSLC examination.
"In middle school, the third language was started because that was required for SSLC. It was Kannada for those who had second language as Hindi and vice versa. Sanskrit was also there, so you could have a third language. The earlier, the better."
She also urged the Union government to reconsider introducing a third language at the Class 9 stage.
"Union of India, please don't have a third language in 9th standard. CBSE, ICSE, and State Boards-Class 10 is a board examination. From the end of Class 8 onwards, the pressure starts."
Recalling her academic years in the 1970s, Justice Nagarathna said students were prepared for Class 10 studies from Class 8 itself due to the demands of board examinations.
"So if we had that kind of preparation and all, what about today's students? Don't start a new language in 9th. Start it in 6th... I'm recalling my experience from 1976."
The judge also advised the Tamil Nadu government not to oppose central education initiatives solely because they were introduced by the Union government.
"You may have your education system, but don't prevent the Central government schools," she told the state. She later added, "Don't have this attitude that it is the Union government, so why should we accept it."
The Bench, comprising Justice Nagarathna and Justice R Mahadevan, noted that discussions between the Centre and Tamil Nadu government regarding the establishment of JNVs were still continuing.
"Talks have not concluded. If that fails, then only a question of us addressing the merits arises," the Bench observed.
The respondent informed the court that despite an earlier direction requiring the state to identify land for the schools within six weeks, Tamil Nadu had now sought additional time. The state requested a further six weeks to obtain instructions on the matter.
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