KVS seeks ways to circumvent CBSE norms

As per the CBSE curriculum, a student requires to clear the third language after studying it for three years as an eligibility to appear for the boards. Students in KVs would, however, not be able to meet this condition if they start learning Sanskrit in Class VII or VIII.

The Supreme Court earlier had asked the Centre how it planned to overcome this situation, to which Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said he would consult HRD, KVS and CBSE officials to put forth a solution on the next hearing on December 16.

According to government officials, KVS wrote to the CBSE on Monday, seeking a clarification on the issue and asking for ways in which the norms can be tweaked for the affected students. The board is yet to reply but officials say the 70,000-odd students are likely to be exempted from the requirement.

The Board of Governors of the KVS, headed by HRD Minister Smriti Irani had in an October 27 meeting decided that “teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued forthwith”. German, however, will be taught as an additional subject/hobby class. Meanwhile, regional KV offices have been asked to “urgently” provide information about the number of students opting for Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language.