Latest news with #NarendraJadhav
Time of India
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
New draft drops 3rd language in state schools for Class 3-10
Pune: The curriculum for Class 3 to 10 in state govt schools in Maharashtra, announced by the State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT) on Sunday, eliminated the third language from the new draft for 2025. This means state govt schools will continue to teach two languages until the Narendra Jadhav committee decides the future of the third language in classrooms. Tamil Nadu is the only state which has a two-language policy in its schools. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai " The third language will be included in the curriculum only after the final recommendations of the committee and a subsequent decision by govt," SCERT director Rahul Rekhawar said. He said that until a formal decision is made, the current curriculum system will continue. "At present, only the first and second language syllabi have been prepared. The third language syllabus will follow once the curriculum is finalised." The exclusion of the third language comes after months of heated public debate, especially around the imposition of Hindi, in Marathi and English medium schools. Education activists demanded that schools be given the autonomy in choosing the third language based on local and cultural relevance. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo The new curriculum, designed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, includes 20 subjects. The revised syllabus introduces environmental education, Indian knowledge systems, constitutional values, and entrepreneurship skills across different grades. Among the 20 subjects are Marathi, English, mathematics, science, history, geography, economics, political science, arts, vocational education, physical education, and foundational value education. The draft curriculum has now been uploaded on SCERT's website and feedback from stakeholders—teachers, parents, experts, and institutions—has been invited until Aug 27. SCERT has urged respondents to provide detailed suggestions, citing the subject, grade, original content, proposed changes, and the rationale behind them. However, the absence of a third language from the draft has once again drawn attention to the ongoing controversy around language inclusion in school education. In recent months, several parents' groups and regional political leaders voiced opposition to making Hindi compulsory in non-Hindi speaking states like Maharashtra. Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president, state headmasters' association, said the new draft published on Sunday is similar to the one published earlier in line with SCF 2024. Other highlights of the draft include a dedicated vocational education curriculum starting from Class 6 and a redesigned environmental studies syllabus for Class 3 to 5, now titled 'The World Around Us'. The curriculum reflects NEP's broader goals, such as promoting sustainable development, social inclusion, and interdisciplinary learning.
Indian Express
28-07-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
No 3rd language for even higher classes in SCERT's draft curriculum framework
Forced to withdraw its decision to introduce Hindi as the third language in primary classes in Maharashtra, the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has now released a draft curriculum framework for school education where it has included only two languages for all classes from classes 3 to 10. The decision has sparked a fresh discussion in the education sector as the third language has not been included for higher classes (classes 6 to 10) for the first time since the system was introduced from the academic year 1971-72. The SCERT on Sunday released a draft curriculum framework for classes 3 to 10 inviting suggestions from stakeholders. It includes only two languages for all classes – preparatory stage (classes 3 to 5), middle school (classes 6 to 8) and secondary (classes 9 and 10). As per information shared by the SCERT, this draft is prepared on the basis of the State Curriculum Framework prepared in 2024 which is as per the recommendations by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It provides a list of a total 20 subjects, combined for all these classes; with some new entrants such as Vocation Education apart from conventional subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science. Stakeholders have time until August 27 to submit suggestions. About the missing third language from all these classes, the SCERT has released a note along with the draft. It states, 'A committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav as per the Government Resolution (GR) dated June 30, regarding the implementation of the language policy. The existing system will continue till the decision regarding the third language is implemented on the recommendation of the said committee and in accordance with the decision of the Government thereon.' This has sparked confusion among teachers and schools as they question the connection between the new committee and three languages already taught in higher classes. 'The said committee is to deliberate upon whether the third language can be implemented from Class 1, which was the point of contention leading to formation of that committee. Nobody had opposed the three-languages taught in higher classes, which has been happening for many years now,' said a senior language teacher from Mumbai, further questioning the hurry in issuing the draft curriculum framework when the final decision cannot be taken until the committee's report. Mahendra Ganpule, from Maharashtra School Principals' Association said, 'The note insists that until then existing practice will continue. But the draft is for upcoming structure for these classes as per the NEP recommendations. But this missing mention of language three, which has always been part of curriculum for higher classes, definitely leaves room for confusion.' Echoing that there is confusion, Madhav Suryawanshi, coordinator of the Shikshan Vikas Manch, a consortium of teachers and educationists from across the state, said, 'Owing to this confusion and for other discussions, the consortium is going to hold an online session for teachers across state to get more clarity by resolving doubts with experts.' Stating that SCERT is simply playing safe, senior educationist Vasant Kalpande said, 'System of third language in higher classes has been an existing system. Its exclusion from the syllabus framework is likely to cause confusion over the third language in higher grades, which nobody has contended.' When contacted, SCERT Director, Rahul Rekhawar said, 'The committee is deliberating upon the three-language formula of the state. This makes it important to wait for its recommendations because without that we cannot decide from which Grade the third language can be implemented.' Vocational Education from Class 6 Among the new subjects, noteworthy is the introduction of Vocational Education subject from Class 6. In a first a separate curriculum is prepared for Vocation Education which will be taught until Class 10 wherein students will be given hands-on experience in various skills such as agriculture, poultry, gardening, mechatronics, AI, robotics, food processing, carpentry, beauty and wellness, and tourism. Another notable change is that, subject 'Environmental Studies (Part 1 & 2)' for classes 3 to 5, will be replaced with 'The World Around Us (TWAU) (Part 1 & 2)'. The existing textbook for Grade 4 ('Shivchatrapati') will continue as such. Whereas from classes 6 onwards, separate curricula have been developed for History, Geography, and Civic studies. From class 9 onwards, separate curricula have been prepared for Political Science and Economics.
Time of India
27-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Include us in deliberations, say experts wary of govt's back-and-forth on policy
Mumbai: Even as the Maharashtra cabinet announced the scrapping of both govt resolutions (GRs), released in April and June, regarding the three-language formula, educationists and linguists remain wary of the state's back-and-forth on the issue and have urged it to include them in future consultations and deliberations. Laxmikanth Deshmukh, chairman of the Marathi Language Advisory Committee, said, "It's good that the GRs have been scrapped and that state govt has formed a committee under educationist Narendra Jadhav. I hope the committee reaches out to us and everyone who objects to the policy and hears our views - though I still feel there is no need for a third language in the state." The state's Marathi Language Advisory Committee joined the rising opposition against the three-language formula when it passed a resolution on June 27 opposing the teaching of Hindi in schools before the class 5. This marked the first time a govt-appointed panel officially opposed Hindi instruction before class 5. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai Speaking on the mounting opposition, educationist-linguist Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi said, "It is welcome that the govt has withdrawn both GRs. However, given govt's past approach to discussions and committee formation, I think it is necessary for them to give representation to all relevant stakeholders. I would also suggest that they make the committee's work more transparent by publishing its schedule and method of study. " Bhau Gawande, former deputy director of education, said that on Sunday afternoon - just hours before the policy was put on hold - he and a number of educationists met with top-ranking education department officials. "They tried explaining their reasoning - like the Academic Bank of Credits and the benefits of multi-vocal education. We only asked: 'Why does a third language need to be taught? Any other subject could be taught instead. ' We also pointed out that children who don't speak Marathi at home would have to learn four languages. Overall, it was a non-conclusive meeting." Madhav Suryavanshi of the Shikshan Vikas Manch expressed hesitation in trusting the govt's announcement. "Until an official order is issued canceling the decision to implement the three-language formula from class 1, the government's stance cannot be trusted," he said.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Scrap panel formed for 3 language policy: Forum
Kolhapur: A forum advocating against the imposition of Hindi has called for the immediate dissolution of state govt-appointed panel led by Narendra Jadhav. The forum is also demanding a permanent notification from the govt assuring that Hindi will never be introduced as a compulsory subject for Standard 1 to 5. During a press conference in Kolhapur, Dipak Pawar, an activist with Marathi Abhyas Kendra and a leading voice in the anti-Hindi imposition movement, said while state govt revoked the resolutions making Hindi a third compulsory language from Std I in Maharashtra, it subsequently formed a panel to review the three language policy. "The govt must abolish the panel as there is no need for it. We will not let the govt implement the three-language policy as prescribed by the National Education Policy (NEP). We also demand that govt must notify that henceforth, permanently, there will be no introduction of Hindi in schools between Standard I and V," he said. Pawar added that to ensure the autonomy of Balbharti, the compulsion of NCERT books should not be completely enforced. "There should be a change in the National Education Policy (NEP) of the Centre. English language is a compulsory subject from Standard I. The govt must recommend making an amendment and start teaching English from Standard III," he said. "We also demand that those students who excel in academics by learning in Marathi should a;sp get preference in govt jobs and higher education," he added.
The Hindu
12-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Dr. Narendra Jadhav on Hindi Backlash, Marathi Identity
In this Pulse Maharashtra episode, Vinaya Deshpande speaks with Dr. Narendra Jadhav on the backlash over Maharashtra's three-language formula. After two controversial GRs making Hindi the default third language for Classes I–V were revoked, a high-level committee has been formed to review the policy. Political parties, educators, and activists clash over Marathi identity, NEP compliance, and the timing of language introduction. Reporter: Vinaya Deshpande Video: Emmanual Karbhari Production: Vishnoo Jotshi
