SC expresses concern on CBSE’s move to introduce third language in class 9

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court opposed CBSE's decision to introduce a third language mandatory from class 9. The court observed that imposing a new language on students at a time when they are preparing for the board exams will cause severe mental stress. The observation was made by a bench of Supreme Court Justice B V Nagarathna.

Although the CBSE has made it mandatory to study three languages from class 9 onwards, it has not been included in the class 10 board exams. However, the court assessed that this decision will increase the stress on children.

‘Class 9 is a time of intense mental stress for students. So why make a new language mandatory at this stage? If desired, it could have been included in class 6. The exam pressure on children starts as soon as the eighth grade is over. Therefore, a third language should not be introduced in class 9,’ clarified Justice Nagarathna.

The Supreme Court's observation was made while considering a plea filed by the state government against the Madras High Court order to establish Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in all districts of Tamil Nadu.