Bengaluru: In a proposal that is receiving negative responses from parents and children alike, CBSE’s ‘three-language formula’ makes it mandatory for a student to opt for a third language, even in the 9th and 10th standards.
The debate however, is that the third language options are restricted to regional ones, leaving out foreign languages like French, German, etc.
Pointing out the flaw in the proposal, Mrs. Sarvamangla Bhat, a parent said, “Generally CBSE students opt for foreign languages like German or French as the third language keeping in mind their future career, or higher education abroad. With regional language being a must, they will be at a disadvantage.”
For those who don't speak Kannada at home, the option of a foreign language would be convenient even if they were to move to other cities, she added.
A contrary opinion was given by another parent, Nandagopal, who said, “I feel it is a good rule. The regional language should be respected and learnt. If my son learns Kannada now and we suddenly move to West Bengal, the school should give him the option to continue in his regional language Kannada.”
“Since there may not be teachers for that language, online learning for children who get a transfer should be the responsibility of the parent. The school must give the question paper in the known language itself,” he added.
When Deccan Chronicle Contacted Mr. Mansoor Ali Khan, Principal of the Delhi Public School regarding this idea, he said, “After the 8th Std, students usually do not have the burden of a third language. With this proposal, those students who studied French till the 8th Std will have to switch over to a regional language in the 9th Std.
“They will have a huge burden coping with the higher level syllabus. What will they do in the 10th board exams?” He also added that such rules should never be made compulsory. Do not force a child but rather leave the choice to him.
“Another problem is transfers. Many parents have jobs that move them around the country. A child from Tamil Nadu who moves to North India, cannot suddenly learn the regional language or Sanskrit. A child coming from abroad would prefer learning French, German or Spanish. How will they adapt?” Mr. Mansoor Ali argued.
With India being a multi-lingual country, it is evident that flexibility needs to be the bottom line of the CBSE's proposals. Regional and foreign languages must both be offered as options, some parents say.
