Bhubaneswar: The Supreme Court has observed that introducing a third language from Class 6, instead of Class 9, could help reduce academic pressure on students as they approach board examinations.
The remarks were made by a Bench comprising Justice B. V. Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan while hearing a petition concerning the establishment of Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs) in Tamil Nadu.
During the hearing, Justice Nagarathna noted that students begin facing heightened academic pressure from Class 9 due to preparations for the Class 10 board examinations. Introducing a new language at that stage, she observed, could add unnecessary stress. Emphasising the benefits of early language learning, the judge remarked that “the earlier, the better,” suggesting that beginning a third language in middle school would allow students to learn gradually and with greater ease.
The Bench also clarified that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 does not mandate Hindi as the third language. Instead, it provides flexibility for states to choose an appropriate third language in accordance with their educational policies.
The observations came during arguments related to the implementation of the three-language formula in connection with the establishment of JNVs in Tamil Nadu, where language policy has remained a subject of debate.
The matter has been posted for further hearing on August 11, as discussions between the Central Government and the Tamil Nadu Government continue.
The Court’s remarks are observations made during the course of the hearing and do not constitute a final direction or judgment. The issue will be considered further when the case is taken up at the next hearing.
-OdishaAge
