Supreme Court extends three-language relief to class 6 CBSE students
The Supreme Court has directed the CBSE to extend to Class 6 students the same transitional relaxation already available to students in Classes 7, 8 and 9 under the revised three-language framework.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, said students currently in Class 6 should not be required to take a compulsory Board examination in the third language when they eventually reach Class 10.
The direction follows discussions on how to implement the revised language policy during the transition period. Under the arrangement, students in Classes 7 to 9 will continue learning the third language but will not be required to take a CBSE Board examination in it.
The Centre had opposed extending the same concession to Class 6 students and had sought permission to implement the revised framework for the current academic year.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that most of the 28,819 CBSE schools had made the necessary arrangements. He said approximately 1.2 per cent of schools were still working to put the required facilities in place.
The bench nevertheless considered the practical difficulties of introducing the revised system at this stage and supported a transitional approach for Class 6.
The court’s order recorded that Class 6 students could receive the same exemption already given to Class 7 students. They will continue studying the third language, but the subject will not result in a mandatory Board examination in Class 10 or prevent final promotion or certification.
The court also indicated that it would intervene if a school attempted to hold back a student because of the third-language internal assessment.
CBSE has further been asked to nominate an officer to contact schools that have not yet completed the required arrangements and assess the difficulties they face.
The Supreme Court is hearing several petitions challenging the CBSE’s revised three-language formula, which requires students to study three languages, including at least two Indian languages. Responses have previously been sought from the Centre, CBSE and NCERT.