HRD replaces German with Sanskrit as language option
15 Nov 2014 5:26 AM IST
In keeping with NDA government’s agenda of promoting ‘Indian languages’, the Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), an arm of union human resource development ministry, has discontinued teaching of German as third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas (Central Schools).The diktat of HRD minister Smriti Irani has effected a mid-session change across KVs as the teaching of German as the third language has to stop immediately.
The circular issued on Tuesday last said, ‘The teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued forthwith. Students studying German in class 6 to 8 will be given an option to study Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language of their choice.’ The HRD ministry has also decided that the German should from now on be offered only as a hobby or an additional language.
The move of the HRD ministry is set to affect over 70,000 students across the 500 KVs. The minister’s move has made its ally PMK to urge the Centre to revoke its decision.
‘Union HRD minister’s diktat allegedly asking KV schools to stop teaching German as third language was a planned imposition of Sanskrit,’ PMK chief Ramadoss alleged. Accusing the BJP-led Centre for ‘language and cultural invasion,’ he pointed to moves like Hindi in social media, Sanskrit week in schools and celebration of Teachers’ Day as Guru Utsav to substantiate his claim.
The circular issued on Tuesday last said, ‘The teaching of German language as an option to Sanskrit will be discontinued forthwith. Students studying German in class 6 to 8 will be given an option to study Sanskrit or any other modern Indian language of their choice.’ The HRD ministry has also decided that the German should from now on be offered only as a hobby or an additional language.
The move of the HRD ministry is set to affect over 70,000 students across the 500 KVs. The minister’s move has made its ally PMK to urge the Centre to revoke its decision.
‘Union HRD minister’s diktat allegedly asking KV schools to stop teaching German as third language was a planned imposition of Sanskrit,’ PMK chief Ramadoss alleged. Accusing the BJP-led Centre for ‘language and cultural invasion,’ he pointed to moves like Hindi in social media, Sanskrit week in schools and celebration of Teachers’ Day as Guru Utsav to substantiate his claim.
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