Chennai: Former Bharatiya Janata Occasion state president and Bharatiya Janata Occasion chief Ok. Annamalai on Tuesday criticized the Narendra Modi-led Union authorities’s determination to introduce trilingualism for sophistication 9 college students by July 1, after a latest notification by the Central Board of Secondary Training (CBSE) made third language obligatory from this educational yr.
He urged the Union Training Ministry to instantly withdraw the notification, saying it was a sudden step that might trigger “pointless psychological stress” to kids, particularly in Tamil Nadu.
The trilingual system was scheduled to come back into impact from 2029 to 2030, however its sudden implementation has triggered confusion amongst mother and father and college students. X In a put up on Tuesday, Annamalai highlighted the inconsistency of CBSE’s strategy and the disproportionate affect on college students in Tamil Nadu.
He mentioned he welcomed the thought of kids studying a number of languages, which was introduced in April 2026 when CBSE introduced that three languages might be obligatory in school 6 and two of the three languages might be Indian languages. Nonetheless, he identified that the unique April notification had clearly acknowledged that third language could be obligatory in school 9 solely from the educational yr 2029-2030.
“Nonetheless, on Could 15, 2026, CBSE despatched a notification to all affiliated faculties to introduce a 3rd obligatory language for sophistication 9 college students from this educational yr, reversing its earlier promise to make it obligatory solely from educational yr 2029-2030,” he mentioned.
In April 2026, when CBSE introduced that three languages could be obligatory for Class VI college students, and two of the three languages could be Indian mom tongues, I used to be one of many many who welcomed this determination that might allow kids to be taught a number of languages from an early age. https://t.co/fBiDPjZhxg pic.twitter.com/LICAtI6Ydl
— Ok. Annamalai (@annamalai_k) Could 26, 2026
Highlighting the true challenges for college students in Tamil Nadu, Annamalai mentioned this got here as a shock to many mother and father. Youngsters have already chosen their language of selection in school 6 and the revised notification, with impact from July 1, 2026, will make it obligatory for sophistication 9 college students to be taught three languages, two of that are of Indian origin.
“Anticipating Class 9 college students to be taught a brand new language in a brief time frame will solely put strain on the youngsters and have an effect on their general studying outcomes. We request the Ministry of Training to instantly withdraw this notification and follow its earlier dedication to introduce studying of three languages (two of that are Indian mom tongues) in Class 9 by the educational yr 2029-2030,” he wrote to X.
The trilingual system was opposed as a result of many CBSE faculties in Tamil Nadu have numerous college students finding out Tamil and English, selecting a overseas language (corresponding to French or German) as a 3rd possibility. The sudden change to require two Indian languages has triggered confusion amongst mother and father forward of its July 1 implementation date.
Many mother and father and college students have additionally approached the Supreme Court docket difficult the adjustments in the course of the session, saying it would put a burden on class 9 college students who’re making ready for board exams. Tamil Nadu historically follows a bilingual system (Tamil and English) on the faculty stage, and oldsters are involved that its hasty implementation may disrupt educational schedules.
With the change of guard within the Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Occasion with Nainar Nagendran taking on as state president, Annamalai has stepped again from key organizational roles and distanced himself from energetic day-to-day celebration affairs within the state over the previous yr. He additionally largely stayed away from the Bharatiya Janata Occasion’s marketing campaign path within the run-up to state polls in April this yr.
(Edited by Vinny Mishra)
Additionally learn: A actuality verify amidst the hustle and bustle on the TN Middle: Most states, together with non-BJP states, provide Hindi or Sanskrit as a 3rd language.
