Merkel raises language issue
Brisbane, Nov. 16: German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Sunday utilised a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to raise the move to drop German as an alternative to Sanskrit as a third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas and was assured it would be looked into within the confines of the Indian system.
Ms Merkel, who brought up the matter during an interaction with Mr Modi on the sidelines of the G20 summit here, also invited the Prime Minister to visit Germany. The Chancellor told Mr Modi that India should work on a system where children can learn German in schools.
“Merkel did raise the issue of teaching German language in Indian schools. She raised in a manner requesting the Prime Minister to have a look in it and see what would be the best way forward,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin told reporters.
In his response, Mr Modi said it was important for children to learn as many languages as possible and assured Ms Merkel that her concerns would be addressed by the Indian government.
“Prime Minister assured her ( Ms Merkel) that he himself is the votary of young Indian children learning other languages. He said how it is best done within the confines of Indian system, we work it out,” Akbaruddin said.
Ms Merkel also told Mr Modi that Germany was looking forward to his visit to the country.
The Sanskrit issue has already been raised by German ambassador to India Michael Steiner with the Indian government, hoping for a “pragmatic” solution.
As the Human Resource Development Ministry has decided to drop the German language, over 70,000 students across 500 Kendriya Vidyalayas from classes VI to VIII are supposed to be asked to switch from German to Sanskrit.
The 2011 Memorandum of Understanding that made German a third language was signed between the Kendriya Vidyalayas and Goethe Institut- Max Mueller Bhawan. will Mr