Gurgaon: The Haryana Board of School Education (HBSE) has rolled out the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, making it mandatory for students of Classes 9 and 10 to study an additional language along with Hindi and English.Under the new policy, students will have to choose one language from Sanskrit, Urdu or Punjabi as a compulsory subject. The decision was announced at a press conference by board chairman Dr Pawan Kumar and vice-chairman Satish Shahpur, who said the move is aimed at strengthening linguistic skills and promoting multilingual learning across the state.Alongside the language reform, the board has revised its evaluation system, replacing the existing ‘best five’ formula with a ‘best six’ requirement. Students will now have to pass in at least six out of seven subjects, including one optional paper. Officials said the changes will also extend to the Haryana Open School, ensuring uniformity across different streams. They added that the introduction of a third language is expected to improve communication skills and widen career opportunities for students. A senior teacher from a govt school said the move could help students “develop confidence in speaking and understanding multiple languages, which is essential in today’s competitive environment.” Another teacher, however, cautioned that “while the idea is progressive, schools will need adequate resources and trained staff to effectively implement the new system.” In a relief measure, physically challenged students will have the option to study one language instead of two. The board has also introduced Indian Sign Language as a separate subject for students in special schools.
