'Punjabi will be added next year': CBSE clarifies language not removed after rebuke across party line
PTC News Desk: After several leaders from across the party line in Punjab raised the issue of alleged deletion of Punjab language from curriculum for a twice-a-year board exam format, central board of secondary education has issued a clarification on the issue.
The board on Wednesday has clarified that so far there is no change in the subjects currently offered to class 10 board examinations, following concerns over the exclusion of Punjabi (code 004) from a newly issued draft policy. The Punjabi language will be added next year in the new draft of the scheme, which aims to hold board examinations twice a year with one regional and foreign language at its core.
Several leaders across the political spectrum have raised concerns over dropping the 'Punjabi language' from its draft scheme for a twice-a-year board exam format in accordance with the new education policy.
SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal took to his social media and raised concerns over the issue.
"Strongly condemn CBSE's decision to drop Punjabi from regional languages in the 2025-26 curriculum. Punjabi is our mother tongue, spoken and read across various states and many countries worldwide. This attack on our mother tongue will not be tolerated, and
@Akali_Dal_ will strongly oppose this move. We demand its immediate restoration and urge all Punjabis to join hands in this fight," he said.
Sukhbir Singh Badal also took a dig at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for his silence over the matter and called it a blatant attack on the rights of Punjab.
"Let me remind you @BhagwantMann your silence on this blatant attack is being seen as complicity. Take a cue from the Telangana Government, which has made Telugu mandatory in all schools, including CBSE-affiliated ones. When will you stand up for Punjab's rights, Mr. Puppet CM?" he further added.
Earlier Punjab education minister Harjot Singh Bains alleged that CBSE is planning to remove the 'Punjabi' language as the second language from the board exams for Classes 10 and 12.
"We strongly object to CBSE's new exam pattern scheme, which attempts to erase Punjabi! Punjabi must be designated as the main language in Punjab and further be included as a regional language in CBSE for rest of the nation, as it is spoken and read across multiple states," Bains said.
- PTC NEWS
