UAE students, parents worried over CBSE's Hindi move

Abu Dhabi - The recommendations were made in the ninth report of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language.

In what could affect thousands of Indian students in the UAE, Indian government has made Hindi language compulsory till class 10 in all CBSE-affiliated schools.
Indian President Pranab Mukherjee has given green signal to a parliamentary panel's recommendation, according to the Indian media.
"The HRD Ministry should make serious efforts to make Hindi language compulsory in curriculum. As a first step, Hindi should be made a compulsory subject up to standard X in all schools of CBSE and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan," the presidential order said.
"The centre should form a policy in consultation with the state governments," the order added.
The recommendations were made in the ninth report of the Committee of Parliament on Official Language.
However, Ashok Kumar, CEO of Indian High School in Dubai and a member of the CBSE Board, told Khaleej Times that schools have not received any notification. "We have not received any thing regarding the decision."
Many schools said they are also awaiting intimation from the board. "We have read the news. But without getting notification from the CBSE board, we cannot go ahead and implement the decision," said Bright Riders Principal Rishikesh Padegaonkar.
The new move is worrying to Indian students in the GCC countries, as many CBSE schools do not teach compulsory Hindi. Instead, students learn English and Arabic as mandatory languages.
"My son who is in Grade 6 has not learned Hindi at all. He opted for French as the second language from grade 1 onwards. It will be difficult for him to learn a new language now," said Kannan, an Indian parent.
Maneesh Kumar, another parent, said he will consider switching his daughter to a foreign curriculum if Hindi is made compulsory.
"My daughter who is on grade 9 wants to pursue engineering. She is already reeling under pressure. Why should I force another burden (of learning Hindi) on her? I would rather move her to British curriculum," said Kumar.
The CBSE last year had recommended a three-language formula - English and any two Indian languages - but no decision has been made on that yet.
A senior principal in Dubai said many CBSE schools in the UAE follow compulsory Hindi till grade 8. From grade 9 onwards, students can drop Hindi and opt for a foreign language.
"But under the three-language system recommended, foreign languages will be treated as an elective fourth subject," said the principal. There are around 65 CBSE schools in the UAE.
But the new decision to make Hindi compulsory will affect thousands of students from schools where foreign languages like French and Special Arabic are offered in the place of Hindi.
Some parents who spoke to Khaleej Times said they are happy with the decision as they want their wards to learn the national language.
"I support the decision. Especially as expats, I think it is important our children study Hindi. It helps them find roots to their culture and country," said Kunjikrishnan, father of two children studying in Grade 4 and 7.
Another parent, Lekshmi. P., said compulsory national language is a norm in many countries. "When you are in the UAE, Arabic language is mandatory. So should Hindi when you are studying in Indian schools. I know it is an added burden for children, but I support this move," said Lekshmi, a teacher herself.
anjana@khaleejtimes.com