Supreme Court Suggests Third Language from Class 6 to Reduce Stress

The Supreme Court on Friday observed that introducing a third language from Class 9, a year before board examinations, creates unnecessary stress for students. The court suggested that it would be better to start the third language from Class 6.

A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and R Mahadevan made the remarks while hearing an appeal by the Tamil Nadu government challenging a Madras High Court direction to facilitate the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in the state.

The court advised the state not to oppose every central scheme merely because it comes from the Union government. “You may have your education system, but don’t prevent the Central government schools. Don’t have this attitude that ‘it is the Union government, so why should we accept it?’” Justice Nagarathna said.

During the hearing, the Tamil Nadu government's counsel raised concerns about the three-language policy, which is currently under challenge in the Supreme Court in separate petitions. Justice Nagarathna clarified that the policy does not mandate Hindi as the third language. “The state language has to be taught, English has to be taught and any third language. It doesn’t say Hindi,” she said.

The counsel for the petitioner, whose plea led to the Madras High Court order, pointed out that the National Education Policy (NEP) bars the imposition of any language on any state. In response, Justice Nagarathna asked, “You don’t want Hindi, but if it’s Sanskrit, what is the issue?”

When told that the third language becomes mandatory only from Class 9, Justice Nagarathna expressed concern. “That is very bad. The ninth standard is stressful. Why do you introduce a new language in the ninth grade? You introduce it in the sixth,” she said. Referring to her own school days, she noted that in middle school, a third language was started as it was required for SSLC. “The earlier, the better,” she added.

The judge urged the Union government to avoid having the third language in the ninth standard. “CBSE, ICSE, State Board, tenth standard is a board exam. From the end of the eighth standard onwards, the pressure starts… Don’t start a new language in 9th. Start it in 6th,” she said.

The court adjourned the matter to August 11, noting that discussions between the Centre and the state on the issue are ongoing. The merits of the case will be heard only if the talks fail. On July 14, a bench presided by the Chief Justice of India declined to stay the three-language policy and assured protection for teachers facing action over its implementation.