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Business Standard
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
New rule makes Hindi a must in primary classes across Maharashtra
The Maharashtra government has issued a formal order making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from classes 1 to 5. The directive was released on Tuesday by the Maharashtra School Education Department as part of the implementation of the State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024, which aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the official order, Hindi will now be taught 'generally' as the third language to all primary students. An opt-out option is available, but only under stringent conditions: at least 20 students from a single class must request an alternative Indian language. Only then will the state arrange for a dedicated teacher or provide online instruction for that language. Critics cry foul Meanwhile, language rights groups and education experts have slammed the decision, calling it a 'backdoor imposition' of Hindi-- an allegation rooted in recent flip-flops by the state government on the issue. Deepak Pawar, of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, accused the state government of bypassing earlier assurances. 'This is nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi,' he said in a social media post. 'The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he added. The backlash also comes in the wake of prior commitments from School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, who had stated on April 22 that Hindi would not be compulsory for primary classes. Speaking at an event in Pune last month, Bhuse had acknowledged widespread concern over the plan. 'The decision to introduce Hindi from Class 1 as a third language was taken earlier. However, many parents have suggested it be introduced from Class 3 instead. We will consider these suggestions before taking any further decision,' he was quoted as saying by PTI. At the time, he had also mentioned that the three-language formula was 'on hold' and schools would continue with the current two-language structure. Experts question implementation Former education board chairman Vasant Kalpande questioned the feasibility of the opt-out clause. 'It is unlikely that 20 students in a class will demand a non-Hindi language,' he said. 'The provision to make teachers available online is also an attempt to discourage opting for any other language than Hindi.' He further warned that while Hindi and Marathi share a similar script, young learners may struggle to grasp the nuances and differences between the two. Kalpande also pointed out that states like Gujarat and Assam do not mandate Hindi as a third language in primary education—raising further questions about the uniformity of NEP implementation across India. Three-language formula now enforced The order also brings schools with other mediums of instruction into the fold, requiring them to follow the three-language formula—consisting of the medium of instruction, Marathi, and English. Earlier this year, the state's proposal to introduce Hindi from Class 1 had faced strong public opposition, prompting the government to initially roll back the decision. (With PTI inputs)
Mint
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Mint
Hindi ‘mandatory' as third language in Maharashtra schools; Marathi groups decry ‘backdoor imposition'
The Maharashtra government has mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. However, advocates of the Marathi language have criticized the move, accusing the government of reviving the policy through the "backdoor" after previously withdrawing it, PTI reported. The Maharashtra School Education Department on Tuesday issued the order as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the order, all students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools will now mandatorily study Hindi as the third language 'generally'. 'Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online,' the order stated. Critics claim the government's latest move contradicts earlier statements of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse that Hindi would not be mandatory for the primary classes. Though the government order provides a conditional option for students to opt for another Indian language instead of Hindi, it stipulates that a minimum of 20 students per school must opt for the alternative. If a such demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online, the order added. The directive also mandates that in schools following other mediums of instruction, the three-language formula must include the medium language, Marathi and English. The government has betrayed the Marathi people. "This is nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi," claimed Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, working to preserve the Marathi language, PTI reported. "The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he charged in a social media post, urging people to protest. Key Takeaways The new policy mandates Hindi as a third language for students from Classes 1 to 5. Critics claim the move contradicts previous government assurances and threatens regional languages. The policy allows for alternatives to Hindi but requires a minimum of 20 students to opt for another language.
New Indian Express
10 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hindi to be taught as 3rd language in Maharashtra schools; Marathi outfits, Congress slam move
MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government has issued an order saying Hindi will be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the state from classes 1 to 5. An amended government order issued on Tuesday said Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being mandatory, but gave an option to opt out if 20 students per grade in a school express the desire to study any Indian language other than Hindi. While some Marathi language advocates accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking, the opposition Congress accused Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest. The Maharashtra School Education Department issued the government resolution (GR) on Tuesday as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. According to the GR, Hindi will "generally" be the third language for students from classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. "Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online," the order stated.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra mandates Hindi as third language in schools, Marathi language activists slam decision
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued an order to make Hindi a mandatory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. Marathi language activists have accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking on it. The Maharashtra School Education Department on Tuesday issued the order as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. As per the order, all students from class 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools will now mandatorily study Hindi as the third language "generally". "Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online," the order stated. Live Events Activists claim that the government's latest move contradicts earlier statements of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse that Hindi would not be mandatory for the primary classes. The government order, however, provides a conditional option for students to opt for another Indian language instead of Hindi but stipulates that a minimum of 20 students per school must opt for the alternative. If a such demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online, the order added. The directive further said that in schools following other mediums of instruction, the three-language formula must include the medium language, Marathi and English. Earlier this year, the state government faced widespread backlash for its proposal to introduce Hindi from class 1. On April 22, Bhuse said Hindi would no longer be compulsory in classes 1 to 5. Last month, the minister at an event in Pune said, "The decision to introduce Hindi from class 1 as a third language was taken earlier. However, many parents have suggested it be introduced from class 3 instead. We will consider these suggestions before taking any further decision." He had added at the time that the three-language formula was "on hold" and schools would continue with the existing two-language system for now. But the latest order appears to contradict that assurance, prompting a fresh wave of opposition. "This is nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi," claimed Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, working to preserve the Marathi language. "The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he charged in a social media post, urging people to protest. Vasant Kalpande, former chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, said it is unlikely to find 20 students in a class opting for a non-Hindi language. "The provision to make teacher available online is also an attempt to discourage opting for any other language than Hindi. Although, Marathi and Hindi have similar scripts, it will be too much for students of such young age to learn the nuances and differences between the scripts," he claimed. Hindi as a third language is not mandatory in Gujarat and Assam, Kalpande pointed out. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hindi made mandatory as 3rd language in Maharashtra schools; Marathi outfits slam 'backdoor' move
Mumbai, The Maharashtra government has issued an order making Hindi a compulsory third language for students in Marathi and English medium schools from classes 1 to 5. The Marathi language advocates have accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking on it. The Maharashtra School Education Department on Tuesday issued the order as part of the implementation of the 'State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024', aligned with the National Education Policy 2020. According to the order, all students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools will now mandatorily study Hindi as the third language "generally". "Those who wish to learn any other language as an option to Hindi, should meet the expectation of 20 students from each standard in a school. In such a situation, a teacher for that particular language will be made available or the language will be taught online," the order stated. Critics claim the government's latest move contradicts earlier statements of School Education Minister Dada Bhuse that Hindi would not be mandatory for the primary classes. Though the government order provides a conditional option for students to opt for another Indian language instead of Hindi, it stipulates that a minimum of 20 students per school must opt for the alternative. If a such demand arises, either a teacher will be appointed or the language will be taught online, the order added. The directive also mandates that in schools following other mediums of instruction, the three-language formula must include the medium language, Marathi and English. Earlier this year, the state government faced widespread backlash for its proposal to introduce Hindi from class 1. On April 22, Bhuse said Hindi would no longer be compulsory in classes 1 to 5. Last month, the minister at an event in Pune said, "The decision to introduce Hindi from class 1 as a third language was taken earlier. However, many parents have suggested it be introduced from class 3 instead. We will consider these suggestions before taking any further decision." He also said at the time that the three-language formula was "on hold" and schools would continue with the existing two-language system for now. But the latest order appears to contradict that assurance, prompting a fresh wave of opposition. "This is nothing but the backdoor imposition of Hindi," claimed Deepak Pawar of the Mumbai-based Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, working to preserve the Marathi language. "The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we remain silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement," he charged in a social media post, urging people to protest. Vasant Kalpande, former chairman of the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education, said it is unlikely to find 20 students in a class opting for a non-Hindi language. "The provision to make teacher available online is also an attempt to discourage opting for any other language than Hindi. Although, Marathi and Hindi have similar scripts, it will be too much for students of such young age to learn the nuances and differences between the scripts," he claimed. Hindi as a third language is not mandatory in Gujarat and Assam, Kalpande pointed out.
