Can’t English be considered an Indian language, asks top court, Pg14

Key Highlights:

• The Supreme Court questioned the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for categorizing English as a "non-native language" within its Three-Language Formula.
• The CBSE scheme mandates Class 9 students to study at least two languages "native to India" starting July 1, 2026.
• Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted English has been spoken in India for over 300 years and is used for official communication in at least five states.
• The court pointed out that the Constitution and statutes use terms like "mother tongue" or "regional language," not "native."
• Petitions from parents and students highlighted a severe shortage of teachers and textbooks for the 22 Scheduled languages required by the scheme.
• The CBSE acknowledged potential resource constraints but proposed interim solutions, including engaging retired teachers and suitably qualified postgraduates.

Detailed Insights:

• The Supreme Court observed that English's long history and official status in several Indian states make its classification as "non-native" debatable.
• The court suggested that the term "native" used by CBSE might carry colonial connotations, urging a re-evaluation of its definition.
• The Three-Language Formula, as reiterated by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, aims to promote multilingualism and national integration.
• Concerns were raised regarding the practical impossibility of schools providing teachers for all 22 Scheduled languages listed in the Eighth Schedule.
• CBSE stated that 47.3% of its affiliated schools already offer two or more Indian languages, and 99.9% have at least one Indian language teacher.
• Interim measures proposed by CBSE include utilizing Sahodaya clusters and virtual/hybrid teaching methods to address teacher shortages.
• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) confirmed its efforts in preparing textbooks for all 22 Scheduled languages.
• The implementation of the Three-Language Formula for Class 9 was reportedly advanced to the 2026-27 academic session from an earlier proposed 2030.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Three-Language Formula: A policy for language education in India, promoting the study of Hindi, English, and a regional language, reaffirmed by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: A comprehensive framework for India's education system, emphasizing multilingualism, flexibility in language choice, and the promotion of Indian languages.
• Eighth Schedule of the Constitution: A list of 22 languages officially recognized by the Constitution of India, granting them special status and support for their development.