CBSE's Language Policy Sparks Controversy Over Hindi Exclusion
'Policy or imposition?': CBSE leaves Hindi out of R3 language list; educationists decode what it means
Image: Deccan Herald
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has excluded Hindi and Sanskrit from its newly announced R3 language list, igniting controversy and accusations of 'Hindi imposition,' particularly in southern India. Educationists express concerns about the implications for regional languages and the lack of genuine choice for students, as the revised policy mandates two Indian languages starting from Class VI.
- 01The CBSE's revised language policy omits Hindi and Sanskrit from its R3 language list, which includes other regional languages like Kannada and Tamil.
- 02Educationists argue that this exclusion effectively relegates Hindi and Sanskrit to lower proficiency levels, limiting students' language choices.
- 03The implementation timeline is criticized as undemocratic, with schools expected to comply with the new policy in a short timeframe without adequate preparation.
- 04Concerns are raised about the dilution of regional languages in the curriculum, as they are categorized under R3, which has lighter evaluation standards.
- 05The policy shift could increase academic pressure on students by introducing foreign languages as fourth options, complicating their learning experience.
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The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has stirred controversy with its recent circular, which excludes Hindi and Sanskrit from the R3 language list in its revised three-language policy. Issued on May 15, the circular lists languages such as Assamese, Bengali, and Kannada while omitting Hindi and Sanskrit, leading to accusations of 'Hindi imposition' particularly in southern states like Karnataka. Educationists argue that the exclusion pushes Hindi and Sanskrit into a lower proficiency category, effectively limiting students' language choices and undermining regional languages. The new policy mandates that students study two Indian languages starting from Class VI, with implementation expected to begin as early as July 1, raising concerns about the adequacy of preparation time for schools and students. Critics have highlighted that the sudden rollout could compromise educational quality, as schools are instructed to utilize existing resources without sufficient support. Additionally, the policy's structure may increase academic pressure by categorizing foreign languages as optional fourth languages. Overall, the changes have sparked a broader debate about language learning versus language politics in India's educational landscape.
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The exclusion of Hindi and Sanskrit from the R3 list may diminish the emphasis on these languages in education, affecting students' linguistic diversity and choices.
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