NEW DELHI, June 4 (H.S.): The Congress on Thursday accused the Union Ministry of Education and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) of introducing the On-Screen Marking (OSM) system and the three-language formula for Classes IX and X in a hasty and arbitrary manner. The party claimed that the move would disrupt the academic system and create confusion among students and schools.

Congress General Secretary (Communications) Jairam Ramesh said in a post on the social media platform X that in December 2025, the Governing Body of Central Board of Secondary Education had explicitly approved the recommendation of its Curriculum Committee that the existing language arrangement should continue until graded textbooks were released by National Council of Educational Research and Training. He noted that the decision had been formally signed by the then Chairperson and Secretary of the Board.

However, despite that decision, CBSE issued a circular in May 2026 directing schools to introduce a third language in Classes IX and X from July 1. According to the Congress leader, schools were also instructed to teach Class IX students using NCERT textbooks designed for Class VI.

Ramesh questioned what had changed during the past six months, particularly when NCERT had not released any new language textbooks for Classes IX and X. He argued that the decision lacked any academic justification and would adversely affect the educational future of millions of students.

He further alleged that the Ministry of Education and its autonomous institutions were functioning according to a political agenda rather than the recommendations of education experts.

Ramesh also stated that when issues of accountability arise, CBSE officials are removed from their positions. He demanded the resignation of the Union Education Minister over the matter.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar