Chennai, May 26 (IANS) Former Tamil Nadu BJP President, K. Annamalai, has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to withdraw its recent circular making a third language compulsory for Class IX students from the current academic year, arguing that the sudden implementation would place unnecessary burden on students and parents.

In a post on his X account, Annamalai expressed concern over what he described as a deviation from CBSE’s earlier announcement regarding the implementation of the three-language policy.

He said the Board’s revised directive had caused anxiety among parents, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where language-related issues have historically remained politically and socially sensitive.

Annamalai recalled that when CBSE issued its notification in April 2026 introducing a three-language framework for students from Class VI onward, he had welcomed the move.

Under the policy, students would be required to study three languages, with at least two of them being Indian languages. He had then supported the initiative, stating that it would help children gain exposure to India’s rich literary and cultural heritage at an early age.

According to him, the April notification had clearly stated that the three-language requirement for Class IX students would come into effect only from the 2029–30 academic year. However, he alleged that CBSE sent a fresh circular to all affiliated schools on May 15, 2026, making the third language compulsory for Class IX students from the current academic year itself.

He said the revised notification had come as a shock to many parents because students had already chosen their preferred languages when they entered Class VI.

Under the new directive, Class IX students would now be required to study three languages beginning July 1 this year, with two of them being Indian languages.

Annamalai argued that expecting students to suddenly take up an additional language within a limited timeframe could create unnecessary academic pressure. He warned that such abrupt changes in curriculum policy might adversely affect students’ overall academic performance and urged CBSE to reconsider and withdraw the notification.

–IANS

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