The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has made the three-language formula compulsory for students in Classes 9 and 10, effective from July 1, 2025. This move aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes multilingualism and the promotion of Indian languages.
Key Changes in the New Policy
Under the revised scheme, students will be required to study three languages. The first language must be one of the languages listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution. The second language must be another modern Indian language or a foreign language. The third language can be any language chosen by the student, including classical languages like Sanskrit, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, or Odia, as well as foreign languages such as French, German, Spanish, or Japanese.
Implementation Details
The policy will be implemented from the academic session starting July 1, 2025. Schools must ensure that students have access to teachers for the selected languages. CBSE has also directed schools to offer at least three languages to students, with two of them being native to India. This is a significant shift from the earlier system where students could choose between two and three languages.
Impact on Students and Schools
The new mandate aims to foster linguistic diversity and cultural awareness among students. However, it may pose challenges for schools that lack resources to teach multiple languages. CBSE has advised schools to collaborate with language institutes or use online resources to meet the requirement. Students who fail to study three languages will not be eligible for the Class 10 board examinations.
Reactions from Education Experts
Educationists have welcomed the move, stating that it will help preserve India's linguistic heritage. Some have expressed concerns about the burden on students, especially those who struggle with multiple languages. CBSE has assured that the curriculum will be designed to be engaging and not overly stressful.
Conclusion
The compulsory three-language formula is a step towards implementing NEP 2020's vision of holistic education. Schools and students must prepare for the change, which will take effect from the upcoming academic year.
