'Earlier, the better': Why SC wants Centre to rethink third language policy from class 9
The Supreme Court of India has advised the central government to reconsider the implementation of a third-language curriculum starting in Class 9. The bench suggested that introducing new languages earlier, such as in Class 5 or 6, would be less stressful for students.
Why it matters
This intervention touches on the broader debate regarding the National Education Policy and the balance between academic rigor and student mental health.
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed apprehension over the Centre's decision to introduce the third-language curriculum under the National Education Policy from Class 9.While hearing the Tamil Nadu government's appeal against a Madras high court order directing the state to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in every district, a bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan orally asked the Centre to reconsider the policy across all school boards.However, the bench was not directly dealing with the issue of the new CBSE policy.Another apex court bench, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, is already examining challenges to the new CBSE policy and recently refused to stay the notification.What the top court saidThe top court observed that introducing a third language in Class 9 would increase the stress levels of students.The bench suggested that if the new policy is introduced in Class 5 or Class 6,…
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