The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has recently mandated the study of three languages at the secondary level, with at least two being native Indian languages. This policy has triggered significant concern among parents, students, and school administrators in Kolkata, particularly regarding its mid-session implementation and the impact on students who have been studying a foreign language as their second language.
Revised Policy Details
The revised policy requires students to study three languages in classes 9 and 10, with options including Hindi and Sanskrit. Families argue that this increases the curriculum burden and forces many children to switch tracks after years of learning a foreign language.
Parental Concerns
Parents contend that the transition is especially challenging for students with limited grounding in Hindi or another Indian language at the expected level. A parent from a prominent city school stated, "This policy makes children more confused and the learning doesn't happen organically like it is supposed to. Kids hardly know the basics of Hindi and now they are expected to understand stories and literature, which is quite difficult for them." Some parents are exploring legal options, noting that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has already been filed in the Supreme Court, and a section of parents in Kolkata is considering filing another petition.
Student Perspectives
Students have also reported disruptions to their long-term academic plans. Rivansh Agarwal, a class 9 student from Mahadevi Birla World Academy, said, "I studied German in class 6 as I hoped to go abroad in the future and wanted to continue, but since I had to take Bengali due to a third language from class 7, I could not pursue German further." Others noted that the additional subject compresses time for core subjects. Farhan Islam, a class 9 student from Newtown School, remarked, "With seven subjects, my timetable is more packed. I have one extra period daily and more homework. Science and maths practice time got cut by around 30 minutes."
School Administrators' Views
Schools are receiving a surge of queries from parents seeking clarity on implementation. Sunil Agarwal, director of The Newtown School, said, "We offer foreign languages as a second language, and many students are deeply concerned because, at this stage, they would be required to begin learning a new language from scratch. We have received numerous emails from parents who chose our school specifically because of this facility, and they are now left confused. We, too, are uncertain about how the new mandate will be implemented."
Concerns for Younger Students
Parents of younger students also raised continuity issues. Paulomi Roy explained, "My child, who is in class 5, has been studying French since class I as her second language; her third language was Hindi, which she started last year. Now that will become her second language, and she will have to skip understanding of the last four classes to come to CBSE standards! Also, she would have to take up Bengali as the third language, whereas my husband has a transferable job!"
Mixed Reactions
A class 7 student from Sushila Birla Girls' School expressed confusion: "I wanted to study a foreign language from childhood, for which in class 5 I opted for German as a third language, but now I don't know what to do because I have to choose between Bengali and Sanskrit as third language." Shayanti Ray, mother of a class 9 student, argued that making the third language compulsory in board batches could be disadvantageous and should remain optional.
However, some students and parents supported the move while asking for flexibility. Anintika Choudhury, a class 9 student, said, "I don't feel any extra academic pressure as it is the same subjects I have learned in class 8." Ira Shraff, a class 10 student, added, "I think it's a great opportunity for students to finally take languages seriously instead of being happy with average marks."
Demand for Revocation
The All India Save Education Committee has firmly demanded that the Union Government immediately revoke the imposition of the three-language formula by withdrawing the circular.
