‘Why now?’ Parents slam CBSE’s sudden three-language rule for class 9 students

New Delhi: Concerns have emerged among parents and educationists over the implementation of Central Board of Secondary Education guidelines making three languages compulsory for Class 9 students from July 1, with critics questioning the timing of the move and the preparedness of schools midway through the academic session.

The CBSE on Friday announced that students in Class 9 would be required to study three languages, including at least two native Indian languages, under the framework aligned with the National Education Policy.

However, schools had already commenced classes and conducted unit tests for the current academic year before the announcement was made.

School principals flag implementation challenges

Jyoti Arora, principal of Mount Abu School, described the implementation as “very sudden” and said greater clarity was needed regarding the role of English within the new framework.

Speaking to media, Arora said the National Education Policy was “a very progressive document”, but introducing major curriculum changes after the academic session had already started had created “a sense of restlessness” among stakeholders.

She also pointed to practical issues schools could face, including timetable restructuring, shortage of language teachers and academic adjustments after unit tests had already concluded.

Arora further raised concerns about students being expected to study a completely new language in Class 9 without prior learning exposure.

“Suppose I introduce Sanskrit as a third language. Children who have not studied Sanskrit in Classes 6, 7 and 8; how are they going to cope with the third language?” she said.

On the CBSE’s suggestion that new learners could temporarily study from Class 6 textbooks for the third language, she said it appeared to be the only workable option for beginners.

Parents question sudden policy shift

Several parents also criticised the timing of the decision, saying students had already chosen subjects and completed examinations under the earlier system.

Roji Devi, whose son studies in Class 9 at a leading Delhi school, said he had opted for French as his second language alongside English.

“My son has opted for French as the second language with English as the first language in one of the top schools in Delhi. Unit tests for both English and French for 40 marks have been completed and suddenly he has to leave one of these two under the new CBSE guideline,” she said.

Questioning the timing of the circular, she asked why the Board introduced the rule nearly 45 days into the academic session instead of before admissions and subject selection.

“Had the CBSE issued the guidelines in March, we would have prepared or even looked for other options. Isn’t democracy about informed choices? Isn’t the CBSE’s decision arbitrary?” she said.

English classified as foreign language under revised framework

One of the major changes introduced under the policy is the classification of English as a foreign language.

Under the revised framework, students may be allowed to study only one foreign language within the mandatory three-language structure. This could prevent students from simultaneously choosing English and another foreign language such as French.

Tina Singhal said her daughter had been studying French since Class 6 and planned to continue with both English and French in higher classes.

“She never focused much on Hindi because students earlier had the flexibility to choose any two languages in Classes 9 and 10,” she said.

Singhal said the sudden change could force students to abandon subjects they had already invested time in studying.

“She has been preparing for French for months, and now there is pressure on children because they have to manage an additional language,” she added.

She also highlighted concerns regarding whether schools would realistically be able to provide multiple language options to students.

Educationists criticise timing and additional burden

Keshav Aggarwal, an educationist and career counsellor, also criticised the timing of the policy rollout.

“Books have not come yet for all classes. Three languages are already posing difficulty to students at many places, and then this bomb is dropped on parents. Failing to plan is planning to fail. When will CBSE learn this?” he said.

Aggarwal supported the broader objective of language learning but argued that students should not be forced into choices without flexibility.

“Language policy is welcome. Forcing a child to learn is not joy; it is enforcement. Inclusive education means giving the child a free choice. The moment you remove choice, inclusion loses its meaning,” he added.

Social media users raise similar concerns

The policy also triggered reactions on social media, where parents questioned whether schools had the necessary infrastructure to implement the changes effectively.

Sonia Dang wrote on X that while CBSE already followed a three-language formula, schools might struggle to provide proper facilities for multiple language options.

Others raised concerns about the growing academic pressure on Class 9 students.

X user Ruchi Angrish said students already faced a significant academic jump after Class 8 and questioned the need for an additional burden through compulsory language requirements.

Agency inputs