SC asks CBSE to exempt Class 6 from three-language policy this year

The Supreme Court has intervened in the Central Board of Secondary Education's three-language policy, urging a reconsideration for Class 6 students this academic year amidst concerns over jurisdiction and student pressure.

Key Points

- The Supreme Court has suggested CBSE consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for the current academic year.

- The policy mandates the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from July 1, aligning with NEP 2020.

- A three-judge bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, deferred the hearing but asked CBSE to explore accommodation for Class 6 students.

- Petitioners argue that CBSE lacks the jurisdiction to frame curriculum for classes 6 to 8, which should be done by NCERT.

- The court stressed the importance of finding solutions without pressuring students and suggested deferring the policy for Class 6 until next year.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to consider exempting Class 6 students from its three-language policy for this academic year.

A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, while deferring the hearing on a batch of pleas challenging the CBSE's three-language policy to September 17, asked the Board to look into the possibility of accommodating the students of Class 6 in the ongoing academic session.

Court's Suggestion To CBSE

"Consider Class 6 for this year... If they can be given some accommodation," the bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, told Solicitor General (SG) Tushar Mehta.

SG Mehta requested the court to defer the hearing on the pleas as Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati was not available.

He nonetheless assured that the officials concerned would consider the bench's suggestion. "All of us would sit together and revert to your lordship," the top law officer said.

The senior counsel for one of the petitioners said the matter should not be delayed due to more adjournments as students have to ultimately take an examination and it was causing anxiety among their parents.

Background Of The Policy Challenge

The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the CBSE's policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class 9 students from July 1.

On August 20, the Supreme Court had stressed the need to find a solution to issues arising out of the CBSE policy mandating the study of three languages by Class 9 students, observing that children should not come under any kind of pressure.

It had said there was nothing wrong in introducing the policy but the only concern raised by the petitioners was about the manner in which it was being introduced.

The bench had noted that one of the aspects that was required to be considered was how to build adequate human resource infrastructure with regard to the language options available.

"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 had said.

Jurisdiction And Policy Alignment

The senior counsel for one of the petitioners has contended that the CBSE has no jurisdiction or authority to frame the curriculum for classes 6 to 8 as this has to be done by the NCERT.

On May 27, the top court had agreed to examine a plea challenging the policy and issued notices to the Centre, the CBSE and the NCERT seeking their responses.

According to a circular issued by the CBSE, the study of three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, has been made compulsory for Class 9 students beginning July 1.

The move is part of the CBSE's alignment of its scheme of studies with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), 2023.

According to the circular issued on May 15, students opting for a foreign language may do so only as the third language after studying two native Indian languages, or as an additional fourth language.

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