PUDUCHERRY: A recent circular from the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) directing schools to implement the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE 2023) will effectively remove French as a language option in schools across the Union Territory of Puducherry, a former French enclave. The new rules mandate that students study three languages—one foreign and two Indian—starting from Class VI. The choice made in Class VI will become their elective options for Classes IX and X. The medium of instruction in all schools here, barring three French-medium institutions, is English. Consequently, students must now choose two Indian languages. While a similar situation exists in CBSE schools nationwide, it causes significant heartburn in Puducherry, where people cherish their French connection.
Implementation and Controversy
The board, in a circular dated April 9, asked schools to implement the changes under the new rules and upload the details to the CBSE portal. All government schools in Puducherry and several private schools in the territory are affiliated with CBSE. The move has sparked outrage among local stakeholders.
“The move is a direct attack on Puducherry’s unique cultural identity,” said Puducherry State Students and Parents Welfare Association president V Balasubramanian. “Former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said Puducherry is the window of French culture. The Treaty of Cession signed between India and France in 1956 vowed to preserve French as an official language and continue French educational curriculum and judicial institutions.”
A section of parents and students welfare associations representatives said Puducherry may have to revert to the Tamil Nadu State Board or establish a board of its own to escape the CBSE language policy.
Historical Context and Government Response
An official said Puducherry faced similar issues almost a decade ago when the Tamil Nadu State Board made Tamil compulsory until Class X. “Students in Puducherry, who had opted for French or Hindi instead of Tamil, struggled when TNSB made Tamil the compulsory second language. The Puducherry government wrote to TNSB outlining the relevance of French education in Puducherry. The Tamil Nadu government and the board conceded to Puducherry’s request. We will write to CBSE citing similar reasons,” the official said.
Condemning NCFSE, Puducherry opposition leader and DMK convener R Siva termed the move a “deceptive attempt to impose Hindi” and a direct attack on Puducherry’s unique cultural identity. He said the DMK would organise a ‘language rights protest’.
