Forum appeals Centre to continue teaching French in Puducherry schools

The Social Justice Forum has requested the Centre and Puducherry government to take measures for the protection of French language in Puducherry in the wake of the decision of CBSE to introduce three-language system in all affiliated schools across the country.

In a letter to the Union Education Minister, the office bearers of the forum said the circular to introduce three language formula in all schools in the country will have an adverse impact on the teaching of French language in Puducherry. The new guidelines giving importance to the teaching of two Indian languages would deprive the students of Puducherry the opportunity of learning French.

As a former French colony, residents of Puducherry are legally entitled to learn French language. The treaties signed between India and France during the merger, have guaranteed teaching of French and use of the language for administrative purpose. Both the governments should take steps to continue teaching French language in schools in the Union Territory, the letter said.

The letter was signed by former Minister R. Viswanathan, president of the forum T.N. Thanaraman, and secretary T. Geethanathan.