Latest news with #PuneChildren'sBookFair
Indian Express
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Three-language policy from Class 1 currently on hold: Dada Bhuse
School education minister Dada Bhuse on Sunday said the plan to introdcue three languages from Class 1 in Marathi and English-medium schools of the Maharashtra State Board is currently on hold. 'For now, the upcoming academic year will follow the existing practice,' Bhuse told the media after attending the Pune Children's Book Fair at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on Sunday. 'The decision to start teaching a third language from Class 1 has been stayed. After we issued a Government Resolution (GR) making Hindi the third language, various views emerged. One suggestion was to begin three-language learning from Class 3 instead. We will invite fresh feedback from teachers and parents before taking a final decision,' said the education minister. While Bhuse's statement has addressed the uncertainty, schools are demanding a written order. 'Whether three languages will start from Class 1 must be clarified through an official circular,' said a school principal. In April, the state school education department issued a GR making Hindi mandatory as the third language from Class 1 in Marathi and English-medium schools of the Maharashtra State Board. This not only replaced the current practice of introducing the third language in secondary classes, it also sparked widespread criticism and political backlash across Maharashtra, especially over Hindi compulsion. Following the controversy, it was announced that Hindi would no longer be mandatory, and a new GR would offer alternative options. However, the ministry had maintained that three-language learning would begin in Class 1 from the 2025–26 academic year. But with only weeks left for the new academic year, no guidelines have been issued regarding alternatives to Hindi as a third language, leading to confusion. While Bhuse's statement offers clarity, many note that nothing has been confirmed in writing.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Decision to make Hindi compulsory from Std I stayed: Dada Bhuse
1 2 3 Pune: School education minister Dada Bhuse on Sunday said the decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language from Standard I had been stayed and students would be educated according to the existing system. After visiting the Pune Children's Book Fair organised by the National Book Trust, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Pune Book Festival Samvad at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch on Sunday, Bhuse told reporters, "We have received various suggestions from educationists, experts and others regarding this subject and a decision would be taken after considering them." About the confusion surrounding scholarship exams currently held in Standard V and VIII, Bhuse said studies were under way to check if these should be for Standard IV and VII. "A committee of experts has been appointed for this. A final decision has not been taken yet," he said. Regarding confusions over the new in-house quota rule for the First Year Junior College (FYJC) admission, Bhuse said if the management of the institutions had an issue, they could send their suggestions to the education department. "A decision would be taken after scrutinising everything," he said. The online centralised FYJC admission process across the state is set to begin on May 26. The new in-house quota rule states that even if a junior college and some schools belong to the same management and the same city, only students from schools within the premises of the junior college will be eligible for the in-house quota. It states students of schools outside the premises of a junior college will not be eligible for the in-house quota even if their management is the same.
Indian Express
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Maharashtra school edu minister again clarifies Hindi third language proposal on hold
Maharashtra's School Education and Sports Minister Dada Bhuse again clarified on Sunday that the proposal to introduce Hindi as the compulsory third language in the state had been put on hold. Speaking to reporters at the Pune Children's Book Fair in Pune, Bhuse said, 'At this time, the topic of third language has been put on hold. There should be no confusion in anyone's mind because of this. Previously, Hindi was decided to be the third language by a government resolution, a few issues came to light after that… Right now in this educational year, the procedure being followed in the previous years will be followed.' Confusion regarding Hindi being introduced as the third language flared up again as Balbharti, Maharashtra's Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research, released a circular on May 20 that included a point – 'All concerned will be informed separately regarding the textbook 'Khel Khel Mein Sikhe Hindi' (for Marathi and English mediums) for Class 1'. Denying that the language would be made compulsory, Bhuse added, 'Because of this (the issues raised), in the coming time, students and parents expect education in which language and from which Class (will be taken into account). Some people said that Hindi should not be introduced from Class 1 but from Class 3. Many such issues came forward, so in the coming time all these issues will be taken into account and the decision will be taken.' An April 16 circular by the state government had declared that Hindi would be mandatory as the third language from Classes 1 to 5. However, strong opposition from political and cultural circles opposed this move. A few days later Bhuse announced after a cabinet meeting that the move was being rolled back and said, 'The word mandatory will be removed… The three-language formula remains, but schools must accommodate other language choices if a significant number of students in a class request it.' Soham is a Correspondent with the Indian Express in Pune. A journalism graduate, he was a fact-checker before joining the Express. Soham currently covers education and is also interested in civic issues, health, human rights, and politics. ... Read More
Hindustan Times
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Cultural affairs dept to participate in Pune children's book fair next year
Pune: The department of cultural affairs will organise cultural programmes as part of the Pune Children's Book Fair, recognising the positive influence such events have on young minds, said Ashish Shelar on Saturday. Speaking during his visit at the Pune Children's Book Fair 2025, organised by the National Book Trust, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), and Pune Book Festival Samvad, at the Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, the cultural affairs minister emphasised the need for such initiatives in an era dominated by artificial intelligence, OTT platforms, and the internet. 'To keep children's sensitivity alive, nurture good values, and develop their talents, such programmes are essential. The cultural department will become an official partner in the initiative. It will be promoted as a model of value-based child development in the state,' he said. Praising the organisers, Shelar said, 'In today's time, when the family system is weakening, such initiatives help society face challenges. Without real intelligence, artificial intelligence is not enough for progress. The children's book fair has the power to nurture such real intelligence in children. When you see books, games, cultural exchange, and history brought together in one place for children, you understand the importance of the initiative. Against today's backdrop, this entire atmosphere feels almost unbelievable.' Additional municipal commissioner Prithviraj BP said, 'As PMC marks its 75th year, several cultural programmes are being held. Given the response to the children's book fair received in its very first year, the civic body will continue supporting it annually. The civic body has already provided land for the National Book Trust, and efforts are underway to make Pune the book capital.' In his welcome address, Rajesh Pande, the festival's chief organiser, said, 'Over 25,000 children visited the fair in just two and a half days.' Earlier, Shelar visited various stalls at the exhibition and even picked up a 'Viti-Dandu' (traditional Indian stick game) and played with kids. He released several children's books on the occasion.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Children, parents flock to book stalls
Pune: The Pune Children's Book Fair, a vibrant celebration of knowledge, literature, and entertainment, is proving to be a fertile ground for nurturing the reading habit among the younger generation. At the fair, one can see children browsing through books on diverse subjects — from history to science — while parents actively encourage them to buy and read. Publishers and children's authors engage with readers, explaining the world of books, while visitors enthusiastically purchase children's literature to gift to young readers they know. Organised by the National Book Trust (NBT), Pune Book Festival, Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) and Samvad Pune, the fair features over seventy reputed publishers showcasing books across genres including stories, poems, and novels aimed at children and young readers. From celebrated names in children's literature to promising new authors, the offerings span historical, social, humorous, and scientific themes. Informative books, biographies of scientists and reformers, language-learning aids, and much more are on display. Kishor, the magazine from Balbharati — the body responsible for publishing school textbooks — has enriched the reading experience of children across generations. Selected issues of this magazine are available for reading at the fair. In a digital age where children often get lost in mobiles, laptops, and video games, the sight of children immersed in books brings a welcome sense of hope.
