SC Raises Concerns Over NEP’s Three Language Rule

The Court also said the state should not resist the Centre's policy simply because it is a Central policy and added that discussions with regard to JNVs in Tamil Nadu continue.

Justice Nagarathna Flags Board Exam Stress

Justice Nagarathna questioned as to why only from class 9, a new language should be introduced and asked Tamil Nadu why it is resisting the three language policy under JNVs. The judge also added that it is “very bad” to introduce a new language in class 9 of those students who will be appearing for Class 10 board examinations. 

Justice Nagarathna said, "No that is very bad. 9th standard is stressful. Why do you introduce a new language in 9th? You introduce it in 6th. When we were there in our school we had both ICSE and SSLC. We were taught both syllabus. Only at the end of 9th standard we had to select.”

"Union of India please don't have 3rd language in 9th standard. CBSE ICSE State board 10th standard is a board exam. From the end of 8th standard onwards, the pressure starts. The chapter on Light which was in SSLC 10th standard was taught to us in 8th standard ICSE. Preparing for us for 10th," Justice Nagarathna added.

SC Adjourns Case Till August 11

The observation came during the hearing of the plea of the Tamil Nadu government challenging the order of the Madras High Court, which had asked the state to enable setting up of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas in all districts.

The Court finally agreed to grant adjournment in the case after a plea by the state government. The matter has been adjourned for hearing on August 11.

"Let them get instructions. Different government is there now (TVK). We don’t know what their policy is. You may have your education system etc but don’t prevent central government schools in Tamil Nadu," Justice Nagarathna said.

Tamil Nadu Opposes Three-Language Formula

The State government during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) rule had said the schools, proposed to be set up under the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Scheme, were fundamentally incompatible with the two-language policy of Tamil Nadu. 

The State had in the earlier hearing claimed that the Navodaya scheme that works on three-language formula deviates from the State Tamil Learning Act, 2006. The State had further said that three language formula - where Hindi, English and the mother tongue/regional language must be compulsorily taught – was considered as a basic and integral element of the administration of the Navodaya schools, and its enforcement was a backdoor method of imposing Hindi on the state’s children.