Three language policy at secondary level adds to CBSE’s students worries

Kolkata: The Central Board of Secondary Education's (CBSE) recent mandate requiring a third language at the secondary level has triggered concern among parents, students and school administrators, particularly over mid-session implementation and the impact on those who have been studying a foreign language as their second language.The revised policy states that students must study three languages at the secondary level, with at least two being native Indian languages, including options such as Hindi and Sanskrit. Families said the change increases curriculum burden and forces many children to switch tracks after years of learning a foreign language.Parents argued that the transition is especially difficult for students who have limited grounding in Hindi or another Indian language at the level expected in classes 9 and 10. A parent from a prominent city school said, "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 said they are exploring legal options, noting that a PIL has already been filed in the Supreme Court and that a section of parents in Kolkata are considering filing another petition.Students also described disruptions to 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 said the additional subject compresses time for core subjects. Farhan Islam, a class 9 student of Newtown School, said, "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."Schools said they are receiving a surge of queries from parents seeking clarity on implementation. The Newtown School director Sunil Agarwal 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."Parents of younger students also raised continuity concerns. Paulomi Roy said, "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 3rd language whereas my husband has a transferable job!"A class 7 student from Sushila Birla Girls' School said, "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, a mother of a class 9 student, said making the third language compulsory in board batches could be disadvantageous and stating it should remain optional.Some students and parents, however, 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." A class 10 student Ira Shraff said, "I think it's a great opportunity for students to finally take languages seriously instead of being happy with average marks."All India Save Education Committee firmly demanded that the Union Govt immediately revoke the imposition of the three-language formula by withdrawing the circular.