NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend to Class 6 students the same relaxation already available to Classes 7, 8 and 9 under the three-language formula.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the CBSE’s three-language policy.
The Centre told the court that detailed discussions had been held on the earlier suggestion to exempt students currently in Class 6 from the policy. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the government was seeking implementation of the policy for Class 6 from the current academic year, pointing out that 99 per cent of the 28,819 CBSE schools had the required infrastructure and that textbooks and other materials were available.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati explained that students of Classes 7 to 9 had already been granted transitional relief under which the third language would not be counted in the CBSE Board examination when students reach Class 10. The subject would instead be assessed internally by schools, without a pass-or-fail consequence for the Board result.
Justice Bagchi observed that CBSE had substantially covered its school network but suggested a “soft launch” for Class 6 students in view of logistical difficulties.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, appearing for the petitioners, argued that many students had accepted the language requirement because they had little choice. He cited concerns over the initial unavailability of textbooks online and the impact of the policy on students already studying other languages.
Counsel also raised concerns over the classification of English as a non-native language, saying the change could force students to give up foreign languages they had already been learning. Justice Bagchi indicated that the issue would be examined by the court.
Other lawyers highlighted concerns relating to academic pressure, infrastructure, limited language choices and access to textbooks, particularly in rural areas. Senior Advocate Anand Grover also raised the issue of language options available to students wishing to study Punjabi.
After considering the explanation regarding the relaxation already provided to Classes 7 to 9, the bench directed that the same relief be extended to Class 6.
“There will be no pass/failure. There will only be appearance certificate,” the Chief Justice indicated during the hearing.
In its order, the bench noted the submission that 99 per cent of schools had adequate infrastructure, while around 1.2 per cent were yet to make the necessary arrangements. It directed that Class 6 students be granted the same exemption as Class 7 students.
The court also directed CBSE to appoint an officer to contact the remaining schools and ascertain the difficulties they were facing. Justice Bagchi observed that the court would intervene if any school held back a student during internal assessment.
The CBSE has been directed to file its counter-affidavit within four weeks, followed by a rejoinder, with the main matter posted for further hearing.
