‘Kannada cannot be third language in Karnataka’: Board of public schools opposes CBSE’s three-language policy
The Associated Management of Primary and Secondary Schools in Karnataka (KAMS) has opposed the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) compulsory three-language policy, saying it goes against the existing language rules in the state.In a legal representation submitted to the CBSE Chairman, the association urged the Board to suspend the cycle for the coming academic year until it is clear how it will be implemented in Karnataka. It has also sought an urgent explanation from the CBSE.KAMS said the Karnataka Language Learning Act, 2015 already makes Kannada the first or second language in all schools, including those affiliated to CBSE. According to the board, the new CBSE circular has created legal uncertainty, especially in schools where Kannada is already being taught as the first or second language.D Shashi Kumar, general secretary of the association, said: “Technically, it is not possible to use Kannada as a third language in CBSE schools. Also, CBSE should define whether English is a foreign language or a regional language. In our opinion, English should be considered as a regional language as it is widely used in all areas of life from the court to the law.”KAMS has given CBSE 15 days to respond. It said that it will go to the Supreme Court if the Board does not provide the requested details within the set time.Meanwhile, the CBSE on Monday issued detailed guidelines on how the third language policy will be implemented for students in various classes under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, declaring that they are not allowed to apply.For students studying in Class IX during the 2026-27 academic year, the third language (R3) will be assessed only through internal tests. There will be no CBSE Board examination for the third language when these students reach Class X in 2027-28. CBSE and NCERT will also provide grade-appropriate study materials to help students learn the language.As a relief, students in the current Class VII and Class VIII groups who have already chosen and started learning two non-native languages will only add Bhartiya Bhasha and continue learning it up to Class X. As in the current Class IX group, the third language will be evaluated through an internal school examination, and there will be no CBSE Board examination.
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