Not just students, even teachers are worried
Nearly 70,000 students of Kendriya Vidyalayas are worried after the government's decision to drop German as an alternative to Sanskrit as a third language. They have less than a week to prepare for the Sankrit paper with exams just round the corner. The students are worried how will they switch to a new language after learning German throughout the year.
Some of the students NDTV spoke to said they "would write a letter to the Education Ministry". Others said even English was a foreign language, so what is the problem in teaching German? But it's not just students, but the teachers too hangs in the balance. While some school principals say German will continue to be available as a 'hobby' subject, teachers of the language are worried and have asked the students to sign a petition of support.
Sources say due to the decision, 30 per cent of all German teachers on contract will be effectively laid off.
Sources also say that Education Minister Smriti Irani has ordered an investigation into how this was allowed; the 2011 Memorandum of Understanding that made German a third language "violates the national education policy", said officials. The pact was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institute-Max Mueller Bhawan and was allegedly not referred to the ministry though it was signed in the presence of E Ahmed, then the Minister of State for Human Resources Development.
The Geothe Institute has refused to comment saying they were hoping for a resolution.
Speaking to NDTV, German Ambassador Michael Steiner said Indian Constitution will not be violated by teaching German. "I am a fervent supporter of Sanskrit, I believe cultural identity is important but look at the globalised reality," Mr Steiner said.
The Sanskrit Sikshak Sangh, an association of Sankrit teachers, spearheaded movement to get German dropped as an alternative third language, calling it a western conspiracy.
On Sunday, the Prime Minister was forced to give an assurance to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the G-20 summit when she raised the matter. But for thousands of students worried about their future, there is no clear answer from the government.