Early Times Report
Jammu, Apr 17: A controversy has erupted over the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan’s (KVS) weekly timetable, as Sanskrit has been allotted only three periods per week, raising serious concerns about the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF) 2023.
Sanskrit, widely acknowledged for its rich heritage, scientific structure, and cultural significance, is an integral part of India’s linguistic identity. The NEP 2020 underscores equal importance to all Indian languages under the Three Language Formula — R1 (First Language), R2 (Second Language), and R3 (Third Language). It particularly highlights that third language subjects like Sanskrit, often unfamiliar to students, require sufficient instructional time for proper comprehension and fluency.
Despite this, KVS’s latest scheduling allots Sanskrit far fewer periods than Hindi and English, languages that arguably require less foundational effort due to familiarity and exposure. Sanskrit teachers and scholars see this as a clear violation of NEP guidelines, arguing that it not only disrupts balanced language development but also sends a problematic message about the perceived value of different languages.
“This unequal allocation could lead students to subconsciously believe that Sanskrit is less important, which is entirely against the spirit of the NEP,” said an education policy expert. This issue comes at a time when interest in Sanskrit is on the rise, with many schools hosting Sanskrit conversation workshops, drama competitions, and shloka recitations. Limiting formal classroom time may undermine these efforts, hindering student enthusiasm and learning outcomes.
NEP 2020 and NCF 2023 explicitly state that equal time and support must be extended to all languages, including foreign languages like German and French, when chosen as the third language. This ensures linguistic equality and respects India’s multilingual fabric.
Will KVS take corrective action to restore balance and uphold policy mandates? That is the pressing question being asked by language rights activists, academicians, and policy advisors across the country.
Under the leadership of Prof. Srinivas Varkhedi, Vice-Chancellor of Central Sanskrit University, scholars and policy advocates are now preparing to escalate the matter to national forums. Their aim is to ensure Sanskrit — and all Indian languages — receive the recognition, time, and resources they rightfully deserve under India’s reformed education system. |
