The Goa government has announced a relaxation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, allowing schools to continue offering foreign languages like Portuguese and French in Classes 8, 9, and 10.
Under the NEP, students are required to choose between three languages, typically a local language, a language native to India, and English.
However, the Goa government has granted a relaxation to schools already teaching French and Portuguese, allowing them to continue offering these languages until further orders.
The relaxation comes after fears that popular foreign language options like Portuguese and French would be discontinued under the NEP's three-language formula.
According to an official from the state education department, the government has decided to grant a relaxation to address these fears and allow schools in Goa to continue offering these languages.
The NEP encourages the study of foreign languages, but typically for higher classes, not from Std VIII. The National Curriculum Framework is a guideline and not legally binding, allowing states to choose their own language.
The relaxation has prompted an air of uncertainty, but existing schools offering French or Portuguese in Grades 8, 9, or 10 shall be permitted to continue these languages until further orders.
