In a move benefiting regional language supporters in Tamil Nadu, Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) has decided to introduce Tamil as a medium of instruction in selected Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) on a trial basis. This decision, announced by R. Senthil Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of KVS’s Chennai Region, follows a request made by activist V. Eswaran from Coimbatore on January 28, 2026. The initiative signifies a significant shift for the Central school system towards incorporating a regional language as a primary teaching medium.
The Kendriya Vidyalayas, categorized as “special category schools” under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, were originally established to cater to the educational needs of children from transferable Central government and defense personnel families. These schools operate under policies set by the Central government, with admissions guided by KVS guidelines within the RTE framework. Now, KVS is taking steps to identify specific schools where Tamil can be introduced as a medium of instruction on a trial basis.
The official response, dated February 23, 2026, confirmed the organization’s consideration of the proposal through a pilot project. Following the evaluation of this experimental program, a broader decision on incorporating regional languages as mediums of instruction in other Kendriya Vidyalayas will be made. Eswaran, in response to this development, hailed the decision as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to enhance Tamil’s presence within the Kendriya Vidyalaya system. He highlighted the current lack of consistent Tamil offerings in many KVs in Tamil Nadu, often due to a shortage of qualified faculty, leading to students completing their education without sufficient exposure to the state’s official language.
