Why the Language Debate in the Age of AI? India's Education System Needs Real Change

A fresh debate regarding India's education policy has came out, centred on the decision to apply a three-language policy starting from Class 9. In schools affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), students will be required to learn three languages, with two of them necessarily being Indian languages, effective July 1, 2026. Many parents, teachers, and educationists believe that such language-based changes do not address the real problems facing the country's education system, especially when there are far greater challenges at hand.

Under the new policy, Class 9 students will be required to learn an additional language. This decision is being viewed with doubt in many South Indian states; Tamil Nadu, in particular, has long advocated for a two-language policy that organises Tamil and English.

On the other hand, many students in North India currently have the opportunity to learn languages ​​such as French, German, Spanish, or Japanese. There are concerns that implementing the new rule could significantly limit these opportunities.

Many educationists believe that Class 9 is a crucial period when students begin preparing for future higher education and competitive examinations.

Making a new language mandatory at this stage could increase academic pressure, particularly for science students, limit opportunities to learn foreign languages, and impact preparation for competitive exams. Time management could become especially challenging for those preparing for engineering or medical entrance examinations.

Currently, students in many schools are learning German, French, Spanish, or Japanese alongside English. These languages ​​enhance opportunities for international higher education, create prospects for employment abroad, facilitate participation in exchange programs, and improve global communication skills.

Sanskrit is an ancient and historically significant language of India, boasting a rich heritage of literature, philosophy, and knowledge. However, critics argue that the issue lies not with the language itself, but with the manner in which it is being made mandatory.

Many students have never studied Sanskrit before; suddenly taking up a new language in the ninth grade can prove challenging for them. Furthermore, ensuring the availability of well-trained teachers and suitable instructional materials poses a significant challenge.

Many parents feel that decisions have been made without considering their children's opinions or the practical realities. In some instances, students might have to abandon a foreign language they have been studying for years in favour of a new one, potentially blocking their academic progress to date.

The modern world is rapidly becoming technology-dependent. Key areas for today's students include Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication skills, and digital literacy. Many experts believe that the primary goal of educational reform should be to better align education with the future job market.

I am writing about this subject because any policy shift regarding the future of education directly impacts millions of students. India currently faces various challenges in critical areas such as artificial intelligence, technology education, skill development, and employment.

In this context, it is essential to discuss the requirement and practicality of the decision to make learning a new language mandatory. The most crucial question today is how to make the education system more effective without placing undue pressure on students.