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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Policy that excluded Mahl, Arabic from Lakshadweep schools deferred by Kerala High Court
In an interim order, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court deferred the implementation of a policy under which Mahl and Arabic were excluded as optional languages at schools in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The Bench of Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji acted upon a public interest litigation moved by Ajas Akber, the president of the Lakshadweep unit of the National Students Union of India. He had sought orders to the islands' administration to desist from terminating or removing Arabic and Mahl as optional languages under the three-language formula. The court said the order on the language was issued without conducting any study, and so its implementation is deferred. 'The position which has existed so far (in respect of CBSE and non-CBSE schools) in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep shall continue,' the court said. The new language policy was set to be implemented at schools on the islands from July 1. The petitioner had argued that the decision was taken by the director of education without consultation with stakeholders and without conducting any study on its implications on the education system in Lakshadweep. The education system in Lakshadweep for the past 70 years had the option of Arabic or Mahl as a third language. With regard to Minicoy Island, the Mahl language holds a distinct cultural identity. The court said it is open to the Union Territory conducting a study of the local conditions in the context of the prevailing education policies and to engage with all the stakeholders through a meaningful process of consultation. The Lakshadweep administration told the court that no study had been carried out before issuing the controversial order. The administration made reference to the National Education Policy 2020 issued by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development, the National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage 2022, and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala HC extends interim stay on Lakshadweep language order
Kochi: Kerala high court has extended its earlier order deferring the implementation of an office order issued by Lakshadweep administration, which sought to remove Arabic and Mahl languages from the school curriculum in the Union Territory, until the disposal of the petition challenging it. Observing that there was no material to show the office order was issued following any study or stakeholder consultation, the court emphasised the deep cultural significance of language and cautioned that changes could have serious ramifications. The bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Basant Balaji was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by P I Ajas Akber, a resident of Kalpeni Island, challenging the office order dated May 14, issued by the director of education, Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The order pertained to the implementation of the three-language formula (TLF) from Class I, excluding Mahl and Arabic as optional subjects. Upon reviewing the facts, the court found no material to show that the policy was framed in light of the islands' specific conditions, or to explain how the decision was made and what its implications might be, particularly considering the departure from a long-standing policy in place for 70 years. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Canadian Residents Are Now Eligible for a New Financial Program Canada Today Undo It also noted that the directive had been issued merely as an office order — a mechanism ordinarily used for routine administrative matters, not for decisions with a fundamental impact on local conditions. Accordingly, the court directed that the existing position with respect to CBSE and non-CBSE schools in Lakshadweep shall continue. Additionally, the court clarified that the Union Territory is free to study local conditions within the framework of prevailing education policies and to engage all stakeholders through a meaningful process of consultation, not merely as a formality. If such studies and consultations are undertaken, the respondents may seek appropriate orders, the court said.
