Chennai, May 26:
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai has urged the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to withdraw its recent directive making a third language compulsory for Class IX students from the current academic year, stating that the sudden implementation could create unnecessary pressure on students and parents.

In a post on his X account, Annamalai expressed concern over what he described as a major departure from CBSE’s earlier timeline for implementing the three-language policy. He said the latest circular had triggered anxiety among parents, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where language-related issues have historically remained politically and socially sensitive.

Referring to CBSE’s notification issued in April 2026, Annamalai said he had initially welcomed the three-language framework for students from Class VI onward. Under that policy, students were required to study three languages, with at least two of them being Indian languages. He had supported the initiative at the time, saying it would help children gain exposure to India’s rich literary and cultural heritage from a young age.

However, Annamalai pointed out that the April notification had clearly stated that the three-language requirement for Class IX students would be implemented only from the 2029–30 academic year. According to him, a fresh circular issued by CBSE on May 15 this year advanced the implementation schedule and made the third language compulsory for Class IX students from the current academic year itself.

He argued that the revised notification had come as a surprise to many parents and students, as language choices had already been made during Class VI admissions. Requiring students to suddenly take up an additional language from July this year, he said, could create academic strain and affect overall performance.

Calling for a reconsideration of the move, Annamalai urged CBSE to withdraw the revised notification and avoid imposing abrupt curriculum changes on students.