Hindi no longer mandatory third language in Maharashtra schools
While the three-language formula will still apply from Class 1, students won't be required to study Hindi specifically as the third language.
A revised Government Resolution (GR) will be issued soon to remove word 'mandatory', said School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. 'The three-language formula remains, but schools must accommodate other language choices if a significant number of students in a class request it,' he said.
The rollback came on the heels of opposition from the state's Language Consultation Committee, whose chairperson, Laxmikant Deshmukh, criticised the move, prompting a clarification from the School Education Minister.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Police tap social media for awareness of criminal laws
Panaji: In a shift from its usual methods, Goa Police has begun using social media platforms to eliminate confusion, empower citizens with knowledge of the law, and strengthen confidence in the criminal justice system. This initiative aims to educate the public about the new laws implemented in the country. On Saturday, Goa Police launched a new social media awareness series to inform citizens about the transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Crime branch superintendent of police (SP) Rahul Gupta said the campaign will use creative awareness posts and reels to present the changes in a simple yet engaging way. The posts will be published in both English and Konkani, ensuring that legal awareness reaches every section of society. 'Citizens are encouraged to follow the official channels of Goa Police to stay updated and spread this important awareness,' Gupta said. 'Why is this necessary? The criminal justice system of India underwent a historic transformation with the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam.' Gupta noted that the changes are not limited to renumbering of provisions but include simplification of laws, speedy justice through time-bound trials, zero FIR, e-FIR, forensic-based investigation, gender-sensitive provisions, use of scientific and electronic evidence, and greater transparency. 'Popularising the new laws ensures that citizens are not confused when familiar IPC sections like 420 (cheating), 302 (murder), or 376 (rape) are now replaced by BNS sections 318, 103, and 64 respectively,' the SP said. He emphasised that victims, witnesses, and accused persons must be informed of their rights under the new framework, such as the right to know the reason for arrest, free legal aid, time-bound investigation, and protection of identity. 'Public confidence is built in the justice delivery system, reinforcing that the reforms are aimed at justice for people, not merely punishment,' Gupta said. TOI reported earlier that in an initiative without precedent, Goa Police are putting aside grey, bureaucratic warnings about cybercrimes and have turned to vivid content in vogue with the internet generation: Reels and memes, and droll comics-style narratives. Goa Police will engage influencers to develop and produce a minimum of 100 unique digital content pieces, including reels, videos, memes, and carousels. In social media, a carousel enables people to add multiple images or videos to one post. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
67 govt primary schools shut down or merged since 2020-21
Panaji: Over the last five years, 17 govt primary schools across Goa were merged with neighbourhood schools to ensure their survival after they were found to have low student enrolment. Another 50 state-run primary schools in the state closed down for want of students, as per the directorate of education's latest records. The data shows that of the 680 functional govt primary schools in Goa, 42 could also head towards a shutdown soon with an enrolment of five or lower. A couple of schools, like the GPS Chandor, already began the new academic year 2025-26 with zero enrolment. During the recently concluded assembly session, chief minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the education portfolio, said that parents over the years have shown a preference for privately managed govt-aided schools despite good infrastructure and facilities made available at govt institutions. However, data shows that across govt primary, secondary, and higher secondary schools, 592 teacher positions are either being served on a contract basis, lecture basis or part-time basis. The sanctioned vacant posts waiting to be filled are those of 347 govt primary school teachers, 208 assistant teachers, 211 teacher grade I or assistant district education inspector, and 26 headmasters in govt secondary schools. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Could This NEW Collagen Blend Finally Reduce Your Cellulite? Vitauthority Learn More Undo There is also a shortfall of 29 drawing teachers in the state-run institutes, even as art education was introduced as a full-fledged subject as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy. The problem is particularly acute in govt higher secondary schools, where there are only 17 teachers serving on a permanent basis and 197 teachers working on a lecture or daily wage basis. Officials said a proposal to fill up 318 posts of govt primary school teachers, 14 posts of trained English teachers, and 118 posts of assistant teachers was sent to the Goa Staff Selection Commission for processing. The proposal for filling another 111 posts of teacher grade-I/Assistant District Educational Inspector (ADEI) was sent to the Goa Public Service Commission, while the Commission is in the process of filling up 21 posts of headmasters through direct recruitment. The posts will be advertised by the Goa Staff Selection Commission and Goa Public Service Commission, said an official. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
Rahul Gandhi to launch 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' in Bihar from Aug 17, to cover more than 20 district in 16 days
Rahul Gandhi announced a 'Vote Adikar Yatra' in Bihar to protest alleged voter roll manipulation. The 16-day, 1300+ km yatra aims to raise awareness about threats to voting rights. Akhilesh Prasad Singh stated Gandhi will be in Bihar for over two weeks, concluding with a Patna rally on September 1st. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi , on Sunday announced ' Vote Adikar Yatra ' in Bihar to make people aware of the alleged assault on the right to vote through the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in the took to social media platform X to announce the schedule of the 'yatra'. "16 days 20+ districts 1,300+ km We are coming among the people with the Voter Rights Yatra. This is the fight to protect the most fundamental democratic right - 'one person, one vote.' Join us in Bihar to save the Constitution," he journey will begin on August 17 and will end on September in the day, former Bihar Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh said Gandhi is likely to be in the state for over a fortnight till the 'Vote Adhikar Yatra' concludes with a rally in Patna on September 1.'Tomorrow, Gandhi will launch the yatra from Sasaram. All the necessary permission has been obtained from the authorities concerned. The yatra will build a tempo in favour of the INDIA bloc ahead of the assembly polls,' the Rajya Sabha MP said that Gandhi is likely to stay in Bihar for 15 days, leading the yatra covering 25 districts in the state with three 'break days' on August 20, 25 and 31.'At Sasaram, Rahul Gandhi is likely to be joined by Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in Bihar, besides our other alliance partners, including three Left parties. For the final rally in Patna on September 1, we will try to bring leaders of as many like-minded parties as possible,' Singh said.'We have been left with no option, but to hit the streets. Our pleas for a discussion on the sensitive issue in Parliament have fallen on deaf ears. The behaviour of the Election Commission reminds us of Babasaheb Ambedkar's warning that the Constitution faced the greatest threat from those who were either stupid or cunning,' he parties, including NDA partner like Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, have raised concerns over the special intensive revision, as part of which names of 'lakhs of people have been deleted from the electoral rolls', Singh said.'Only two parties, the BJP and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U), have not spoken a word on the issue. In any case, the government headed by Kumar, who has an alliance with the BJP, is all set to be voted out in the upcoming elections. The people of the state are fed up with the current regime,' he RJD launched a song with with lyrics in a mix of Hindi and Bhojpuri in a bid to project the key role Tejashwi Yadav is expected to play in the yatra. In the video of the song, Yadav is seen sharing the space with Gandhi, and hailed as a leader who was vigilant and willing to rouse the people, and ensure 'nobody's right to vote is snatched and the spirit of freedom is never lost'.
