Puducherry Chief Minister and AINRC founder N Rangasamy has urged the Union government to grant special recognition to French as a 'Regional Language', placing it on par with native Indian languages under the CBSE curriculum for educational institutions in the Union territory. In a letter addressed to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Rangasamy called for a flexible mechanism within the CBSE framework to allow students to continue learning French without disruption.
Concerns Over New Curriculum Framework
The CBSE's recent circular directing affiliated schools to implement the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE 2023) would effectively remove French as a language option in Puducherry's schools. The framework recommends teaching two Indian languages and one foreign language from Class 6, starting from the academic year 2026-27.
“While we appreciate the ministry's efforts to strengthen the national educational framework, I wish to convey the concerns of the people of Puducherry regarding the continuity of the French language in our schools under the present structure requiring two native Indian languages,” Rangasamy stated.
Historical and Cultural Significance
Rangasamy emphasized that French is not merely a foreign language for Puducherry but an integral part of its historical and cultural identity. This identity is rooted in the Treaty of Cession signed between India and France, as well as the region's longstanding association with French culture. He urged the Union government to evolve a mechanism that preserves French language education in the territory.
