#CompulsoryHindi: Uncertainty looms over CBSE affiliated schools in UAE

CBSE affiliated schools in the UAE face a difficult future. Principals of educational institutions worry that implementation of Hindi as a compulsory language could cause problems for their students.

So far, schools in the UAE have been instructed not take a decision until they receive further clarification from the CBSE. However, heads of schools believe that this could impact their students who largely opt Malayalam or French instead of Hindi as an additional language, The Gulf News reported.

Earlier, President Pranab Mukherjee approved a parliamentary panel’s proposal to make Hindi a compulsory language in CBSE affiliated schools. The orders from the President detailed that Hindi should be made compulsory until Class X and that the centre should draft a policy in consultation with state governments.

The CBSE had previously proposed to include a compulsory three language formula which includes English and two Indian languages as part of the curriculam. So far, the Ministry of Human Resources and Development has put the plan on hold.

Nevertheless, CBSE schools in the UAE, which include English and Arabic as compulsory languages, have contingent plans in case Hindi has to be implemented. Dr. Mohammad Aslam Khan, principal of New Indian Model School in Dubai told the news outlet that they would introduce different languages in different grades,

"Arabic starts from grade one while Malayalam and Urdu are introduced from grade 2 and Hindi from grade 3. There is also an option of taking an additional English paper when they are not opting for Malayalam or Urdu. We don’t want to burden children with too many languages," he added.

It’s not just school principals who are feeling uncertain. Parents wonder how their kids will study Hindi if it’s introduced for instance in middle school. For now, they are waiting and hoping that school principals make a choice rooted in their kids’ best interests.