Kerala on Tuesday promulgated an ordinance making Malayalam a compulsory subject in all schools in the state up to Class X.

The ordinance will come into effect from the coming academic year, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters. It will be applicable up to Class X in all government, aided, un-aided and self-financing institutions, including those affiliated to CBSE and ICSE streams. However, Malayalam would not be made compulsory for other state and foreign students to pass Class X. The ordinance was issued after Governor P Sathasivam gave his approval.

Detailing the other directions in the ordinance, Vijayan said teaching Malayalam would be made compulsory for awarding No Objection Certificate (NoC) for schools.

“The law (ordinance) clearly states that schools should not impose any direct or indirect ban against speaking in Malayalam. It also states that no boards should be erected on campus directing students to use any language other than Malayalam,” Vijayan said.

The NoC of schools, where Malayalam is not taught, would be cancelled and a fine of Rs 5,000 would be imposed on the principals of those schools which fail to follow the new instructions, the chief minister added.