CBSE’s three-language rule sparks concern among parents, schools

Kochi: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)'s new directive mandating three-language proficiency for Class IX students from this academic year has caught schools unprepared. Issued last week, the order stipulates that of the three languages a student opts for, at least two must be of Indian origin, while only one can be a foreign language.The challenge is that most CBSE schools currently offer two foreign languages and one Indian language—usually Malayalam or Hindi. Schools had already finalised their academic calendars, prepared syllabi, and distributed textbooks based on the existing pattern. In many schools, French and Arabic remain the most popular choices after English.Concerns have also emerged over the availability of study materials for the newly introduced language component—Indian languages other than Hindi or Malayalam. Schools say textbooks for the prescribed Indian languages are yet to reach students, even weeks after the academic year began, forcing some institutions to rely on lower-grade materials temporarily. "The textbooks for R3 in the languages enumerated in the Constitution will be made available shortly. However, schools are directed to start teaching R3 from Class VI immediately, using locally available books/materials, strictly in accordance with the competencies prescribed in NCFSE-2023," read a communication issued by CBSE to school principals.Parents of Class IX students, who are the first batch directly affected by the revised system, have voiced apprehension over the abrupt transition. "CBSE has to be sensitive towards students. Students can't learn new languages and clear examinations in such a short time," said a parent of a student studying in a city school.Juby Paul, president of Kochi Metro Sahodaya, an association comprising 72 schools, said nearly 15 member schools offer foreign language education. "There are a significant number of Gulf-returned students in schools, many of whom have opted for Arabic. At least eight leading schools offer French as an optional language, and the new directive puts them in a difficult position," Paul said.School managements have also raised concerns about the future of language teachers currently on their rolls. The principal of a prominent CBSE school in Kochi said the new policy could cost French teachers their jobs. "I have three teachers teaching French in my school. It is sad that teachers have to lose jobs over a change in policy," the principal said.Parents also pointed out that students are already adapting to a revised syllabus and examination system introduced under the new curriculum framework based on NEP. "Class IX students are the first batch under the new system aligned with NEP, which itself is putting pressure on students. The sudden shift requiring them to learn new languages adds further stress and may affect their performance in other subjects," said Arya S Nalin, parent of a Class IX student.Meanwhile, Ernakulam MP Hibi Eden has written to Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan seeking intervention. Eden urged the Centre to implement the CBSE three-language formula in a phased manner.