New Delhi: Observing that children should not be subjected to any kind of pressure, the Supreme Court Thursday stressed the need to find a solution to issues arising from the CBSE policy mandating Class IX students to study three languages. “We don’t want the children to come under any pressure,” CJI Surya Kant said.
The SC was hearing a batch of pleas challenging the CBSE’s policy mandating the study of three languages, including two native Indian languages, for Class IX students from July 1. A bench comprising the CJI and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that there was nothing wrong with introducing the policy, but noted that the petitioners’ sole concern was with the manner in which it was being implemented.
“Some of these problems, you may revisit. There is no doubt that sooner or later, it has to be introduced. There is nothing wrong with that. But how it is to be streamlined so that whatever impediments or blockades are coming up, you may find a solution to those,” the bench told Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati.
The bench said 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 VI as the starting point, you may consider giving a reprieve to Class VI students of this year. You can introduce it from next year,” it said. “Another thing which needs to be looked into is where do you draw the line. Whether it is Class VI, Class IV or Class III.
You can take a call depending on the curriculum and where the choice between two and three languages is first introduced,” the bench said.