Twitter
Advertisement

Foreign languages optional, Sanskrit not replaced: Kendriya Vidyalaya to High Court

Latest News
article-main
FacebookTwitterWhatsappLinkedin

Foreign languages have been offered as optional subjects to its students for their better career propects and but not do away with Sanskrit, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) on Wednesday told the Delhi High Court.

KVS said foreign languages could not be accommodated within the 'Three Language Formula' but might be offered as an additional option and students were at liberty to choose any language they desire.

The submission was made in an affidavit filed by the institution before a bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Jayant Nath. "In view of the fast-increasing international interaction and cooperation in socio-political, education, culture and economic fields, a growing need for learning more and more foreign languages like Chinese, Japanese, Russian, French, German, Arabic, Persian, and Spanish has been felt recently," KVS has said in its affidavit.

"These languages can't be accommodated within the Three Language Formula. However, depending on the demand for the study of any number of these and the infrastructural resources available with the schools, these languages may be offered as additional options at secondary stage," it has said.

The bench, which listed the matter for October 15, was hearing the plea filed by Sanskrit Shikshak Sangh through its president Dheerendra Kumar Jha. The PIL challenges the decision of KVS to introduce foreign languages like German, French, Chinese and Spanish "in place" of Sanskrit as third language from the academic session 2011-12 in classes VI to VIII.

The petition has said that the notifications are against the fundamental rights of the citizens and Sanskrit teachers have been asked by KVS to take training in these foreign languages so that they may teach these languages in due course in place of Sanskrit. 

"Issue a writ in the nature of mandamus directing the respondents to take effective measures for promotion and education of Sanskrit as provided in National Curriculum Framework for School Education," it said.

"The action of the respondents (KVS and CBSE) would cause irreparable damage to Sanskrit language and Indian culture and as a result, the next generation would not learn Sanskrit and hardly have any knowledge of Sanskrit and the rich ancient Indian culture.

"This is also in violation of the various provisions of the Constitution of India as also violation of the various Supreme Court judgments," the plea said. The training of KVS teachers to make them "proficient in teaching German" would be restricted to Sanskrit teachers only, it said.

"Foreign languages viz. German, French, Spanish, Russian and Chinese language are being promoted at the cost of Sanskrit," it said. 

Find your daily dose of news & explainers in your WhatsApp. Stay updated, Stay informed-  Follow DNA on WhatsApp.
Advertisement

Live tv

Advertisement
Advertisement