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Maharashtra schools submit letter to Minister Bhuse over clarification on 3-language policy, military education
With only a week left for the new academic year to begin, schools across Maharashtra continue to complain about confusion over the state's three-language policy. Despite verbal assurances from School Education Minister Dada Bhuse that the policy has been put on hold, there is lack of a formal written order in this regard, which according to schools has caused chaos ahead of the new academic year.
As many as 23 educational institutions and associations have come together and submitted a letter to the Maharashtra School Education minister Dada Bhuse, urging for a written order to end the confusion. The letter dated June 8, also demands cancellation of plans to introduce basic military education from grade 1 in government-run schools, announced by Bhuse, earlier this month.
'In Maharashtra, there has been unrest over the introduction of three-languages from Class 1, particularly the decision to mandate Hindi. While the Hindi mandate was officially revoked, there is no formal order by government on whether or not the third language will be introduced in Class 1 from academic year 2025-26, as declared earlier,' stated the letter which further adds that amidst this chaos over introduction of third-language at this young age, the recent announcement to introduce basic military education from Grade 1 has caused further stress for schools.
In April, the state education department issued a government resolution (GR) mandating Hindi as a compulsory third language from Class 1 in Marathi and English medium schools under the Maharashtra State Board. Following a political backlash, with opponents questioning the imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi speaking students, the Hindi mandate was withdrawn immediately. The government, however, insisted on continuing with three-languages then.
Though Bhuse later clarified in a media interaction in late May that the implementation of the three-language policy was on hold, no official circular has been issued in this regard as yet.
Sushil Shejule, Coordinator of the Marathi School Management Association, who is leading the collective of associations which sent the letter, said, 'Introducing additional languages at such an early stage is not supported by child development experts. Furthermore, with young children not yet capable of understanding concepts like the nation, military responsibilities etc., introduction of military education from Grade 1 sparks a question if it is a step towards turning the country into a militarized regime. Educational decisions, especially those involving curriculum and values, must be taken with expert consultation.'
