Sanskrit gains popularity abroad, thanks to CBSE

New Delhi: Sanskrit is not only being popularised in schools in the country but also abroad in all CBSE-affliated schools, the government said.

"Yes," said HRD Minister Smriti Irani in a written reply in Lok Sabha on whether the government is taking steps to popularise Sanskrit language in schools abroad. As on January this year, 197 schools in 24 countries where there is a presence of Indian Diaspora are affiliated to CBSE, she said. Irani, who replaced German with Sanskrit as the third language in Kendriya Vidyalayas recently in a controversial move, said CBSE has already implemented communicative courses in teaching of Sanskrit at secondary level and two courses – Sanskrit core and Sanskrit elective – at senior secondary level.

In addition to a text book, CBSE has also brought out a work book which promotes the scientific and grammatical component in the teaching and learning of Sanskrit. It has also conducted teachers' empowerment programmes and brought out support materials for students and teachers, the Minister said. CBSE has also brought out a booklet on 'collection of aphorisms on leadership from classical Indian literature' for the benefit of students. It would be studied throughout schooling as the nature of this booklet is perennial and general, she said.