Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Dec 9: Students, teachers and principals from across the country seem to be quite affected by the ongoing controversy over replacing German with Sanskrit as the third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas. A few weeks back, the Union human resource development ministry had decided to replace German with Sanskrit as the third language in the KVs, arguing that the existing arrangement was against the three-language formula and “violated” the national policy on education. German has been kept as an additional subject for students which would be considered in the overall annual assessment of the third language. The decision is expected to affect over 70,000 students across 500 KVs from Classes VI to VIII who will be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.
The capital city having six branches of Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV) seemed to be quite expressive stating their opinion with regard to the decision taken by the HRD ministry. “I support the decision taken by the HRD ministry as Sanskrit is a national language and it should be taught instead of a foreign language. The three-language formula as stated by National Curriculum Framework 2005 states that Sanskrit may be studied as a Modern Indian Language apart from Hindi and English grades obtained by students of Class VI to VIII. Our school had taught German for the session 2012 -2013 after which we discontinued. I’m grateful that the change will be implemented in the next academic session or else the sudden change in the middle of an academic year would have greatly affected students,” said Sarat Kumar Behura, principal of KV Unit 1.
“Sanskrit is deep-rooted in Indian heritage and I’m glad that the ministry has finally taken a thoughtful decision. Due to stagnancy of jobs, a sense of frustration and loss of interest was creeping in among youth studying Sanskrit. The new initiative will not only create jobs, it will also create a global demand for the language,” said S Nayak, vice-principal of KV, Unit 1.
Students on the other hand are not overly excited with the Centre’s decision. “Learning a foreign language will help us in our careers, and besides, I’m not really hoping to become a lecturer in Sanskrit,” said Praveen Mohanty, a student of KV, Unit 1. The grouse of the students is that learning German will give them an edge when it comes to working abroad.
Some students though seem to be comfortable with the idea, as it gives them an easy way out as Sanskrit is a high-scoring subject unlike German. “Sanskrit is easy to learn and it’s important to learn an Indian language besides Hindi which can be effectively used nationwide,” opined Rashmi Rekha Nayak, a student of KV, CRPF.
Some students said they failed to understand the logic behind such a sudden move to change the third language after several years of learning it. “I see in the newspapers about the fuss being created over German and Sanskrit. We need time to master a subject. If I’m told to start learning Sanskrit when I have been learning German since the beginning of the session, I will find it difficult to be able to score even pass marks in the subject,” said Santoshi Mallick, a student of KV CRPF.
Teachers however seem to endorse the government’s proposal to replace German with Sanskrit. “I feel Sanskrit should be made the language of communication and should be taught from Class I. Due to the immense influence of Hindi and English, Sanskrit is often neglected. I feel introduction of Sanskrit as the third language will help in promoting the language once again,” said Swarna Prava Mishra, Sanskrit teacher at KV Unit-I.
“From Hindu mythology to ayurveda and mathematics to science, the inception of these subjects took place in Sanskrit. Since Sanskrit slowly lost its relevance over the years in the face of globalization, the language was dying a slow death. But if the KVs begin teaching Sanskrit, it will be of immense benefit to the language,” said Sabita Hota, another Sanskrit teacher of KV Unit 1.
