Chief Minister N. Rangasamy. File
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
Puducherry Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has urged Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan to allow continued teaching of the French language in government schools in the Union Territory, under the Central Board of Secondary Education’s (CBSE) three-language framework.In a letter addressed to Mr. Pradhan, the Chief Minister said Puducherry’s government schools, affiliated with the CBSE since the 2022-23 academic year, recorded a pass percentage of 99.81% in the Class X examinations in 2025-26.“While we appreciate the Ministry’s efforts to strengthen the national educational framework, I wish to convey the concerns of the people of Puducherry regarding the continuity of the French language in our schools under the present structure requiring two native Indian languages,” Mr. Rangasamy said.For Puducherry, French is not merely a foreign language but an integral part of our historical and cultural identity shaped by the Treaty of Cession and our long-standing association with France, Mr. Rangasamy said. A considerable number of Puducherry residents continue to maintain close ties with France, including holding French citizenship and participating in French democratic institutions. This shared heritage remains a matter of deep pride and emotional significance for our people, he added.He noted that many residents have sought the continuation of the long-standing practice through representations from parents, educators, and public organisations. A balanced solution is needed to preserve Puducherry’s unique linguistic and cultural heritage, while also meeting national educational objectives.“The Ministry should consider a suitable accommodation to preserve the French language in Puducherry. This may include granting special recognition to French as a ‘Regional Language’ on a par with native Indian languages under the R3 category of the CBSE curriculum for educational institutions in Puducherry, or evolving a flexible mechanism within the CBSE framework that would enable students to continue learning French without disruption,” the Chief Minister said. Published - May 26, 2026 01:21 pm IST
