The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union government, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) on a petition challenging CBSE’s three-language policy for schools.
CBSE had recently circulated a directive stating that students studying in Class 9 in CBSE-affiliated schools across the country must learn three languages from July 1. Under the framework, two of the languages are required to be Indian languages, while students who wish to study a foreign language may take it as the third language.
The circular also stated that there would be no Class 10 board examination for the third language.
The petition came up before a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Jaymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi. The court admitted the matter and directed the Centre, CBSE and NCERT to file their responses.
The bench also asked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to submit a detailed report on CBSE’s infrastructure and preparedness to implement the new policy, and adjourned the case to the second week of July.
