<div dir="ltr">
<h1>Compulsory Board Exam for Sanskrit? RSS Body's Input for New Education Policy</h1>
<h2 class="gmail-story-intro">The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed
Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal wants classical languages to be compulsory
from classes IX to XII, for which they have presented certain points to
the committee headed by K Kasturirangan in order to draft the New
Education Policy (NEP).</h2> <div class="gmail-clearfix"><div class="gmail-author gmail-fleft"><p><a href="https://www.news18.com/byline/eram-agha.html">Eram Agha</a><a href="https://www.news18.com/byline/eram-agha.html"></a> | <a href="https://www.news18.com/agency/news18.com.html">News18.com</a><a href="https://twitter.com/eramagha" target="_blank" class="gmail-fttxt"><img src="https://images.news18.com/static_news18/pix/ibnhome/news18/fticon.gif" alt="">EramAgha</a></p><span><strong>Updated:</strong>June 22, 2018, 11:49 AM IST</span> </div><div class="gmail-fright gmail-shre-icon"> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https://www.news18.com/news/india/compulsory-board-exam-for-sanskrit-rss-bodys-input-for-new-education-policy-1786711.html&t=Compulsory Board Exam for Sanskrit? RSS Body's Input for New Education Policy" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.news18.com/static_news18/pix/ibnhome/news18/sficon.gif" alt="facebook" title="facebook"></a><a href="https://twitter.com/share?text=Compulsory+Board+Exam+for+Sanskrit%3F+RSS+Body%27s+Input+for+New+Education+Policy&url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/compulsory-board-exam-for-sanskrit-rss-bodys-input-for-new-education-policy-1786711.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.news18.com/static_news18/pix/ibnhome/news18/sticon.gif" alt="Twitter" title="Twitter"></a><a href="https://plus.google.com/share?url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/compulsory-board-exam-for-sanskrit-rss-bodys-input-for-new-education-policy-1786711.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.news18.com/static_news18/pix/ibnhome/news18/sgicon.gif" alt="google" title="google"></a><a target="_blank" class="gmail-spy"><img src="https://images.news18.com/static_news18/pix/ibnhome/news18/ssicon.gif" alt="skype" title="skype"></a></div></div><div class="gmail-articleimg" style="margin-bottom:60px"> <div class="gmail-shareRight"> </div> <span><img alt="Compulsory Board Exam for Sanskrit? RSS Body's Input for New Education Policy" title="Compulsory Board Exam for Sanskrit? RSS Body's Input for New Education Policy"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv gmail-kskdCls" id="gmail-kskdk_a860b19654d11358aa630f1ce88cabd0" style="display:block;width:0px;height:0px;clear:both"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="overflow:hidden;height:90px;width:728px"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="width:728px;height:90px"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="width:728px;height:90px"></div></div></div><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="width:728px;height:90px"></div><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="height:15px;overflow:hidden;opacity:1;width:917px"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.5);height:14px;width:14px;border-top:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5);border-left:1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.5);border-right:medium none"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="overflow:hidden;height:10px;width:10px;margin:2px"><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;width:2px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></div><div class="gmail-kskdDiv" style="overflow:hidden;height:12px;width:2px;background-color:rgb(255,255,255)"></div></div></div></div></div></span><h5 style="bottom: -37px;"> Representational Photo</h5></div><div class="gmail-mnone" id="gmail-webad1x1hovver"></div> <div id="gmail-article_body" class="gmail-hideCont gmail-clearfix gmail-paragraph">
<strong>New Delhi:</strong> ‘Baalak, Balkau, Balkah’, the Sanskrit’s dreaded <em>shabd roop</em>
that made most English medium students sweat during their middle school
days may soon return to haunt in high school. But if you still want to
get rid of the subject, you may perhaps look for respite in Arabic,
Persian, Hebrew, Latin and Greek.<br>
<br>
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-backed Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal
wants classical languages to be compulsory from classes IX to XII, for
which they have presented certain points to the committee headed by K
Kasturirangan in order to draft the New Education Policy (NEP).<br>
<div id="gmail-web728x90_inarticle" class="gmail-mnone" style="text-align:center;margin-top:20px"></div><div id="gmail-div-D-728x90-InArticle"><div id="gmail-google_ads_iframe_/1039154/ATD/ATD_N18/ATD_728x90_REFLEX_0__container__" style="border:0pt none;display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px"></div></div><div id="gmail-web728x90_inarticle_2" class="gmail-mnone" style="text-align:center;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:10px"></div>
<br>
They believe that learning classical is crucial for “healthy social
life”. “The policy aims at strengthening the emotional integration in
our national life, which is clearly present in all the sects and
classical languages,” said Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal head Mukul
Kanitkar.<br>
<br>
<div id="gmail-web1x1_ros"></div>
The perspective behind this decision is that, if everyone in the
country accepts Hindi to be the language of communication, no one will
leave it out. “Then, the subjects that are neglected by students as they
do not generate jobs, can be taken up to be taught in schools,”
Kanitkar opines.<br>
<br>
<div id="gmail-web728x90_ROS" style="margin-bottom:20px" align="center"></div>
A delegation led by the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal head presented the
document titled ‘Bharatiya Education Outline’ to the NEP Committee,
saying: “During the four-year plan – from class 9th to 12th -- a student
will be provided with a choice to complete his studies without learning
English or Hindi, but it will be mandatory for him to learn Sanskrit or
any other classical language.”<br>
<br>
As we wait for the New Education Policy to become a reality, <em>News18.com</em> brings the Language policy recommendations made by BSM. <br>
<br>
<strong>Classical Languages and the ‘Spirit of Patriotism’</strong><br>
<br>
Under the existing National Education Policy, the existing
three-language formula means students in Hindi-speaking states should
learn a modern Indian language, apart from Hindi and English, and in
non-Hindi-speaking states, they should learn Hindi along with the
regional language and English.<br>
<br>
Three language formula is applicable to students from class 6th to 8th.
In class IX and X, two-language formula is followed with English as a
mandatory language and Hindi, or Sanskrit, or a foreign language as the
second choice. <br>
<br>
Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal is a Nagpur based colloquium, working in the
education domain since 1969 for awakening “patriotism, nationalism and
transforming future generation into future Nation.” They have five
dimensional functional verticals: Research, Awareness, Training,
Publication and Organization. <br>
<br>
The recommendations made to the committee are based on the “feedback given by the society”.<br>
<br>
In April 2018, BSM held a grand function Virat Gurukul Sammelan in
Ujjain, which was attended by the Human Resource Development minister
Prakash Javadekar, where he emphasized on “value and holistic
education.” A zero draft of the national education policy is ready. The
committee made a presentation last week, which will be shared with the
peer groups and given a final shape. <br>
<br>
Broadly, in the eight- year general education program recommended by
them, the first language must be mother tongue and two more languages
from the 8th schedule of the Constitution of India. Further, from class
9th to 12th “a student should be provided with a choice to complete
studies without learning English or Hindi, but it should be mandatory
for him to learn Sanskrit or any other Classical language,” he said. <br>
<br>
<strong>Sanskrit over Hindi, English</strong> <br>
<br>
“Some people may question this policy as they are of the opinion that
Hindi — the language of communication, should be made compulsory. Hindi
is not mandatory under this policy; however, there are two languages —
mother tongue and Sanskrit or a classical language, which will be
mandatory for the student,” said Kanitkar. <br>
<br>
The perspective behind this decision is that, if everyone in the country
accepts Hindi to be the language of communication, no one will leave it
out. The subjects that are neglected by students, because they do not
aid in employment, should be made compulsory. “Therefore, in this plan,
study of mother tongue and any one of the classical language have been
made obligatory. A student who does not wish to learn Sanskrit may
choose from Arabic, Persian, Hebrew, Latin, Greek, or any other
classical language,” he said. <br>
<br>
<strong>Proposal Essential for Socio-cultural Perspective </strong><br>
<br>
The policy is based on the belief that a treasure trove of knowledge and
values is present in our classical languages and it is very crucial for
a healthy social life. This way, the policy aims at strengthening the
emotional integration in our national life, which is clearly present in
all the sects and classical languages. <br>
<br>
He said, “What is happening now is, we are losing our communication and
connection with Indian ethos by not studying Indian or classical
languages till class 12th. By not studying that literature, we are
losing communication and values and we are not able to become holistic
persons, which will also help in our professional development – as a
doctor or an engineer.” <br>
<br>
Though some experts and former CBSE officials said on grounds of
anonymity that nothing retrograde should be proposed, as 12th is closer
to higher education and research no decision should be taken to
overburden the students. The students are in a transitory phase, moving
towards higher education, "there has to be linkages with that world and
not a burden," said a former CBSE official.<br>
<br>
<strong>Spend More Time in Schools</strong><br>
<br>
Sangh backed organization believes since there are too many holidays, a
calendar that ensures more time in school for value education should be
devised.<br>
<br>
“Presently there are too many holidays, “This duration is insufficient
not only for the students, but also for the great endeavours of
teaching. It has been proposed that in order to assimilate value
education the working period should be increased by few more days,” said
Kanitkar. In his opinion teaching Value education as a separate subject
is not useful, what is important is, “bring value education in all
subjects,” he said.<br>
<br>
As of now, CBSE signed a MoU with the Ramakrishna Mission in 2014 for
taking Values Education program to its affiliated schools. They
prepared, a three year graded Values Education program for students of
class 6, 7 and 8 called ‘Awakened Citizen Program’ for teachers and
students.
</div>
<h3 class="gmail-alsowatch"><br></h3>
<ul class="gmail-opinion-listing">
<li class="gmail-big-video gmail-watch-first-video" id="gmail-first-watch-box">
</li></ul>
<br clear="all"><br>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature">=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+<br><br> Harold F. Schiffman<br><br>Professor Emeritus of <br> Dravidian Linguistics and Culture <br>Dept. of South Asia Studies <br>University of Pennsylvania<br>Philadelphia, PA 19104-6305<br><br>Phone: (215) 898-7475<br>Fax: (215) 573-2138 <br><br>Email: <a href="mailto:haroldfs@gmail.com" target="_blank">haroldfs@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/" target="_blank">http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/</a> <br><br>-------------------------------------------------</div>
</div>