CHENNAI: Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Tuesday voiced strong opposition against his own party-led central government's three-language policy, demanding that the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) withdraw its recent notification for schools.
Annamalai's Objection to CBSE Notification
In a post on X, Annamalai pointed out that the May 15 notification contradicted earlier communications regarding the policy. He highlighted that in April 2026, it was explicitly stated that the third language for Class IX students in CBSE schools would be made compulsory only from the academic year 2029-30, which is three years away. However, the CBSE sent a notification on May 15 to all affiliated schools, introducing the third compulsory language for Class IX students starting this academic year.
Impact on Students
Annamalai argued that the latest notification would adversely affect students. He emphasized that expecting a Class IX student to learn a new language in a short span would only create pressure and hinder their learning outcomes. The former state BJP chief urged the CBSE to reconsider its decision and revert to the original timeline to avoid unnecessary stress on students.
The issue has sparked a debate on the implementation of the three-language policy, with many educational experts and parents expressing concerns similar to Annamalai's. The policy, part of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to promote multilingualism but has faced criticism for its rigid implementation.
