The Supreme Court has made an important comment regarding the three language policy of the Central Board of Secondary Education i.e. CBSE. The court asked CBSE to reconsider this policy and suggested exploring the possibility of providing some relief to Class 6 students. During the hearing, the court also raised questions on considering English as non-native or ‘non-native’ language. Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that he also has serious reservations about the use of the word ‘native’, because it reflects colonial thinking. According to him, instead the word ‘Indigenous’ or ‘Swadeshi’ should be used.
Justice Bagchi expressed objection to the word ‘native’
Justice Bagchi said in his remarks that the historical presence of English in India and its deep roots in the society also need to be kept in mind. He said,
‘We have to see to what extent English can be considered a non-indigenous language. Personally, I have serious reservations about the word ‘native’. It has a colonial feel. Instead the word should be ‘Indigenous’. We will have to take a final decision on this considering the historical development of English in India and its roots in Indian society. Although it is your right to make policy, but from the constitutional point of view it has to be seen whether English is a non-indigenous language or an indigenous language. By doing this, many flaws in the current system can be removed.
Big challenges before schools in implementing third language
Under the three language system, questions have already been raised regarding the arrangement for teaching the third language from class 6. A committee of Parliament has also pointed out many shortcomings in this system and said that schools were not given enough time to implement the third language. The biggest problem has emerged regarding recruitment of language teachers, providing study materials and training teachers. The tenth report of the Committee on Estimates for 2026-27, presented in the Lok Sabha, has reviewed the budget and policy aspects related to CBSE and affordable and quality education in the country.
Government made structural changes in three language formula
According to the report, the Education Ministry, in collaboration with the states and union territories, has made structural changes in the three language formula. Under this, new R1, R2, R3 language framework has also been prepared. The Committee acknowledged that the Ministry has made significant progress in this direction. Books on subjects like mathematics, science and social sciences have been translated into 22 scheduled languages. Apart from this, bridge courses and e-content have also been prepared to ease the transition between studies in different languages.
Government took steps to ease difficulties
The Ministry has also prepared game-based learning kits like ‘Jadui Pitara’ to make the early education of children easy and interesting. These kits have been made available in 22 languages. Along with this, ‘Bhasha Sangam’ program has been run across the country to introduce languages. 121 mother tongue primers have also been prepared in collaboration with the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL). Arrangements have also been made to provide educational help by appointing local language teachers on contract for teaching local languages in institutions like Kendriya Vidyalayas.
Eyes set on the possibility of students getting relief
The Committee also considered that the actual needs of schools were not adequately estimated before the implementation of the third language. In particular, adequate preparation could not be done in advance regarding the needs like study material, teacher training and availability of language teachers. This is the reason why schools and students are facing practical problems regarding implementation of third language from class 6. Now after the comments of the Supreme Court, eyes are on the possibility of change in the three language policy of CBSE or getting relief to the students of class 6.