Students and CBSE-affiliated schools offering foreign language programmes have welcomed the Union government's clarification on the implementation of the three-language policy. The announcement has eased concerns among students in Classes 7, 8, and 9 who were uncertain about the future of the foreign languages they have been studying.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan clarified on Thursday that students currently learning foreign languages in Classes 7 to 9 will be allowed to continue those subjects until they complete their Class 10 board examinations. School authorities and foreign language teachers have described the decision as a significant relief for affected students.

The clarification follows confusion created by a recent CBSE circular concerning the implementation of the three-language formula. Schools that offer languages such as French, German, and other foreign languages had expressed concerns about how the revised policy would affect students already enrolled in these courses.

Under the previous CBSE framework, secondary school students were required to study three languages, with at least two being Indian languages, including options such as Hindi and Sanskrit. The uncertainty surrounding the revised policy had led many students to worry about switching languages midway through their academic journey.

A Class 8 student from a New Town school said the clarification had brought considerable relief. Having studied a foreign language for several years and not learning Bengali since the early primary grades, the student had been concerned that starting a new language at this stage would create academic difficulties.

School principals also welcomed the government's clarification, noting that students had experienced considerable stress after the earlier circular was issued. However, many school heads said they are still awaiting a detailed official notification to fully understand how the revised policy will be implemented.

The principal of Birla High School described the clarification as reassuring for students in the senior classes while adding that schools would carefully review the official circular before making any administrative decisions.

The principal of Asian International School said the announcement had removed uncertainty for both students and parents, reducing concerns about additional academic pressure on children already pursuing foreign language studies.

The principal of Newtown School also welcomed the decision, calling it a major relief for students in Classes 7, 8, and 9. However, the school is still awaiting confirmation on whether similar exemptions will extend to students from other categories.

While the clarification has reassured senior students, parents of younger children remain concerned. Since the revised three-language policy is expected to take effect from Class 6, many families continue to question how it will affect students currently learning foreign languages in the lower grades.

A section of parents is reportedly considering filing a petition before the Supreme Court to challenge the implementation of the policy. They believe the change could disrupt the education of children who have studied foreign languages from the beginning of their school years.

One parent of a Class 5 student explained that the child has been studying French since Class 1 and has consistently performed well in the subject. According to the parent, the uncertainty surrounding the policy has caused significant anxiety for both students and their families.