CBSE 3-language policy: SC questions if English can be considered indigenous language

The Supreme Court refused to stay CBSE's Class 6 three-language policy while hearing challenges to its rollout. The bench's remarks on English and indigenous languages sharpened the wider debate over multilingual education and implementation.

In Short

• Supreme Court questions if English is an indigenous language under three-language formula
• Court refuses interim stay, posts hearing for July 22 on petitions against CBSE policy
• Centre defends policy citing NEP's goal of promoting multilingualism and national unity

Hearing petitions against the CBSE's decision to implement the three-language formula for Class 6 from the current academic session, the Supreme Court on Tuesday remarked that it was worth re-looking at whether English could be considered as an indigenous language.

The Supreme Court refused an interim stay on the policy while saying that it appeared to advance the constitutional objective of promoting Hindi and other regional languages.

COURT DECLINES INTERIM STAY, POSTS MATTER FOR JULY 22

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohan was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the implementation of the three-language policy under the National Education Policy (NEP).

Refusing to grant an interim stay, the bench said such relief could not be considered without a detailed hearing. It posted the matter for July 22 and directed the Centre and the CBSE to file their responses.

The court observed that the notification appeared to advance the constitutional objective of promoting the learning of Hindi and other regional languages. It also remarked that the nomenclature of indigenous languages, and the question of whether English could be considered one, may require a relook.

PETITIONERS FLAG PRACTICAL CHALLENGES

Senior advocates appearing for the petitioners argued that implementing the three-language policy would pose serious practical challenges despite students being allowed to choose from 22 scheduled languages.

They submitted that schools would find it difficult to appoint qualified teachers for so many languages and develop the necessary infrastructure. They also pointed out that although NCERT had promised to upload study material for all 22 languages by July 1, textbooks were currently available for only three languages.

The petitioners further noted that the challenge comes even after the CBSE withdrew its earlier circular making the three-language formula mandatory for Class 9 from the current academic session.

CENTRE DEFENDS POLICY, CITES NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY

Appearing for the Centre and the CBSE, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that the government and the education board would file their detailed responses within 10 days.

Defending the policy, the Centre said the National Education Policy (NEP) envisions an education system rooted in Indian ethos and aimed at transforming the country into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society.

It submitted that the three-language formula would continue to be implemented in line with constitutional provisions, while taking into account regional aspirations, the federal structure and the need to promote multilingualism and national unity. The Centre also stressed that the policy offers greater flexibility and that no language will be imposed on any state.

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