German to be replaced by Sanskrit in schools as the third language

Government's recent decision to drop German language as an alternative to Sanskrit as third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas has come under judicial scrutiny with the Supreme Court on Friday issuing notice to it and seeking its explanation.

Agreeing to give an urgent hearing on the controversy, a bench headed by Justice A R Dave agreeing to give an urgent hearing on the controversy has asked the government to file its response on a PIL. The case has been posted for hearing on November 28, 2104.

Advocate Reena Singh, appearing for the petitioner had said that the decision regarding selection of language should be left to the students and parents and government should not impose its decision on them that too in the middle of an ongoing session.

The court was hearing a petition filed by a group of parents of Kendriya Vidyalaya students who challenged the government decision.

The board of governors (BoG) of the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), headed by HRD minister Smriti Irani, in its meeting on October 27 had decided that "teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued herewith". German has been kept as an additional subject for students.

This decision is expected to affect over 70,000 students across 500 KV Schools students of classes 6 to 8 who will be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.

"The KVS has failed to take into account the pertinent fact that such a decision cannot be taken mid-session as it would amount to throwing into complete disarray the overall academic preparation of the affected students," the petition said.

They said, "the government should not take such an arbitrary and hasty decision at this belated stage and without any consultation with the affected students and their parents".

"The decision of replacement of German language with Sanskrit language in all KVSs across the country has been taken by the Respondents in a hurried manner without application of mind and without considering the catastrophic consequences on the interest and welfare of students? studying in such KVSs," the petition said.

Quote Source - PTI