Kendriya Vidyalaya students will not have to appear for Sanskrit examination in the current academic session, the government told the Supreme Court on Friday. The court said it as a “good solution” to put an end to the controversy triggered over the decision to immediately replace German with Sanskrit as the third language in Kendriya Vidyalaya schools.
Sticking to its stand on introduction of Sanskrit in KVs from this session and not deferring it in accordance with the court’s suggestion last week, Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that the government has taken note of the concerns expressed by the court.
“In order to make sure no stress is caused to the students due to introduction of Sanskrit mid-session, the government has decided to dispense with the exam for Sanskrit this year. There will be no exam and hence no question of stress arises,” the AG told a bench of Justices Anil R Dave and Kurian Jospeph.
In the court, Rohatgi handed over a letter by the HRD Ministry, which stated: “In view of the concern of the Hon’ble Court, and to ensure that no stress is caused to the students, there will be no examinations in this academic session for those students studying Sanskrit or any other Modern Indian Language as the Third Language now, in place of German as the Third Language, for the remaining part of the current academic year.”
He said that the government has found a “way out” and claimed that the entire Parliament had supported their decision to replace German during a recent debate on the issue in the House.
When asked what happens to students who wanted to continue studying German, the AG told the bench that the foreign language could be studied as an additional language by option. “Students can study Sanskrit and German but German will not be considered the Third Language,” the AG maintained.
“We think it is a good solution. What can be a problem if there is no exam and those students studying German will also be allowed to continue learning it? If our children learn Sanskrit without any stress and they are also allowed to continue German, we don’t see a problem at all,” observed the bench.
Justice Dave expressed his fondness for Sanskrit, saying. “I cannot say it about anyone else but I love Sanskrit. I would happily agree if if my child studies Sanskrit in addition to German. If students study Sanskrit, I feel their future will be brighter.”
The bench, however, also asked Rohatgi to clarify the government’s stand over teaching any other Modern Language besides Sanskrit in KVs and whether there will be exam for German in this session for students who have chosen to continue studying it.
The lawyer appearing for the parents of the affected students conveyed her apprehensions regarding the proposed solution and sought time to consult parents before making any statement. The court allowed her plea and adjourned the matter to Monday.
The government was last week compelled to revisit its decision to immediately replace German with Sanskrit as the continued…
Indian Express | December 6, 2014
Contact Lawyers In India : https://lawintellectindia.com/contact-us/