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Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
New GR on third language says Hindi not mandatory from Std I, critics call it eyewash
Pune: Maharashtra has made a three-language policy mandatory for the state board's Marathi- and English-medium schools from Std I to V, a move that many educationists warn will put additional burden on students at an early age. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The govt resolution (GR), issued on Tuesday, makes it clear that Hindi will no longer be a mandatory third language, but it comes with riders. Students are free to choose any other Indian language as the third language, but a teacher will be available only if there are at least 20 students in the class. The language has to be taught online otherwise. By imposing the 20-student rule, govt is essentially enforcing Hindi in schools, educationists have said. They also pointed out that there was no mention of a third language for Std I in the National Curriculum Framework. They argued that the decision should have been taken before the academic year began, allowing time for discussions and planning. State education minister Dada Bhuse clarified that the three-language policy for Std I was already in place for schools using mediums other than Marathi and English. He said they were now merely extending the policy to all schools. Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the three-language policy was part of the National Education Policy (NEP) implemented nationwide, and Maharashtra could not opt out of it. The controversy first began when govt issued an order on April 16, declaring Hindi as a compulsory third language from Std I. This was opposed by many, forcing Bhuse on April 22 to state that Hindi was not mandatory; it could be any other language. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, teachers' associations and some others wanted govt to scrap the three-language policy until Std V altogether and issue a fresh GR to that effect. Over 20 organisations also wrote a letter to govt last week, demanding this step before schools reopened on June 16. On Tuesday, the GR was issued as a "a clarification over the April 16 GR". It said that instead of Hindi being "mandatory", it would be "generally" a third language, with an option to opt for any other Indian language in its stead. MNS chief Raj Thackeray said he had already written twice to govt, stating that he would not let Hindi be imposed from Std I. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Thackeray said, "I fail to understand why state govt wants to do this. Is it being done under pressure from the IAS lobby? Hindi, like all languages, is good, but it is not a national language, and there is no reason to force it on us. If it is forced on us today, the existence of Marathi will end. If it is not there in Gujarat, AP, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, then why is it being forced on Maharashtra? The CM is lying; there is no compulsion of a third language in NEP. Central govt clearly says that state govt should take appropriate decisions based on the local situation. Will they teach Marathi in MP, UP? We will send letters to all schools and see who teaches Hindi." After a meeting of members on Wednesday, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal president Milind Joshi held a press conference and said that they wrote to the CM asking them to roll back the three-language policy. "The National Curriculum Framework and the state one have both made no mention of a third language for Stds I to V. Then why was it introduced without any discussion with educationists, teachers, and parents? Moreover, govt appointed a Marathi Language Advisory Committee to promote the Marathi language in the state. Even their opinion was not taken on the matter. Despite assurances from Bhuse that Marathi will be promoted in the state, the new GR feels like a betrayal of our trust. We will oppose it," said Joshi. The decision of Maharashtra govt to start a third language from Std I lacks academic grounding, said Kishore Darak, an educator in Ahilyanagar. "This proposal contradicts both NEP and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCFSE). The NCFSE explicitly recommends beginning a third language only in Std VI. Designating Hindi to be 'generally a third language' while imposing an unrealistic requirement of at least 20 students per grade for offering a teacher for other languages clearly forces Hindi on the state. The proposal to teach Indian languages to Std I students in online mode is preposterous. Without turning it into an ego issue, govt should immediately reverse this decision and focus on other urgent issues," said Darak. However, a senior official of the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), defended the introduction of a third language in Std I and said it was as per rules and regulations laid down in the State Curriculum Framework. "The issue was introduced in the SCF-Foundational Stage in the last meeting of the steering committee in Sept 2024 and put up for approval in the SCFSE. It was then published in SCFSE, and a copy of this is available on the website of SCERT," he said. Pune: Maharashtra has made a three-language policy mandatory for the state board's Marathi- and English-medium schools from Std I to V, a move that many educationists warn will put additional burden on students at an early age. The govt resolution (GR), issued on Tuesday, makes it clear that Hindi will no longer be a mandatory third language, but it comes with riders. Students are free to choose any other Indian language as the third language, but a teacher will be available only if there are at least 20 students in the class. The language has to be taught online otherwise. By imposing the 20-student rule, govt is essentially enforcing Hindi in schools, educationists have said. They also pointed out that there was no mention of a third language for Std I in the National Curriculum Framework. They argued that the decision should have been taken before the academic year began, allowing time for discussions and planning. State education minister Dada Bhuse clarified that the three-language policy for Std I was already in place for schools using mediums other than Marathi and English. He said they were now merely extending the policy to all schools. Meanwhile, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis stated that the three-language policy was part of the National Education Policy (NEP) implemented nationwide, and Maharashtra could not opt out of it. The controversy first began when govt issued an order on April 16, declaring Hindi as a compulsory third language from Std I. This was opposed by many, forcing Bhuse on April 22 to state that Hindi was not mandatory; it could be any other language. However, teachers' associations and some others wanted govt to scrap the three-language policy until Std V altogether and issue a fresh GR to that effect. Over 20 organisations also wrote a letter to govt last week, demanding this step before schools reopened on June 16. On Tuesday, the GR was issued as a "a clarification over the April 16 GR". It said that instead of Hindi being "mandatory", it would be "generally" a third language, with an option to opt for any other Indian language in its stead. MNS chief Raj Thackeray said he had already written twice to govt, stating that he would not let Hindi be imposed from Std I. Speaking to the media in Mumbai, Thackeray said, "I fail to understand why state govt wants to do this. Is it being done under pressure from the IAS lobby? Hindi, like all languages, is good, but it is not a national language, and there is no reason to force it on us. If it is forced on us today, the existence of Marathi will end. If it is not there in Gujarat, AP, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, then why is it being forced on Maharashtra? The CM is lying; there is no compulsion of a third language in NEP. Central govt clearly says that state govt should take appropriate decisions based on the local situation. Will they teach Marathi in MP, UP? We will send letters to all schools and see who teaches Hindi." After a meeting of members on Wednesday, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal president Milind Joshi held a press conference and said that they wrote to the CM asking them to roll back the three-language policy. "The National Curriculum Framework and the state one have both made no mention of a third language for Stds I to V. Then why was it introduced without any discussion with educationists, teachers, and parents? Moreover, govt appointed a Marathi Language Advisory Committee to promote the Marathi language in the state. Even their opinion was not taken on the matter. Despite assurances from Bhuse that Marathi will be promoted in the state, the new GR feels like a betrayal of our trust. We will oppose it," said Joshi. The decision of Maharashtra govt to start a third language from Std I lacks academic grounding, said Kishore Darak, an educator in Ahilyanagar. "This proposal contradicts both NEP and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023 (NCFSE). The NCFSE explicitly recommends beginning a third language only in Std VI. Designating Hindi to be 'generally a third language' while imposing an unrealistic requirement of at least 20 students per grade for offering a teacher for other languages clearly forces Hindi on the state. The proposal to teach Indian languages to Std I students in online mode is preposterous. Without turning it into an ego issue, govt should immediately reverse this decision and focus on other urgent issues," said Darak. However, a senior official of the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), defended the introduction of a third language in Std I and said it was as per rules and regulations laid down in the State Curriculum Framework. "The issue was introduced in the SCF-Foundational Stage in the last meeting of the steering committee in Sept 2024 and put up for approval in the SCFSE. It was then published in SCFSE, and a copy of this is available on the website of SCERT," he said.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Revised GR makes Hindi default third language in Maharashtra schools
The Maharashtra government has issued a revised Government Resolution (GR) stating that Hindi will be taught as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools across the state for Classes 1 to 5. The revised order, released on Tuesday, includes a provision allowing students to opt for another Indian language in place of Hindi provided at least 20 students from the same class in a school make such a request. The amended GR updates a previous directive issued in April, which had made Hindi mandatory as the third language. That order was subsequently withdrawn following strong opposition from regional language advocates, and political parties who termed it an attempt to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking students. Despite the revision, the latest resolution has triggered fresh controversy. Critics argue that the 20-student threshold makes it impractical for most schools to offer alternatives effectively, cementing Hindi as the default third language. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has criticized the move, accusing the state government of pursuing the backdoor imposition of Hindi in schools. Party chief Raj Thackeray has threatened to launch protests against schools implementing the new policy and continuing to teach Hindi under the revised guidelines. The new GR states that based on the recommendations of the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2024, Hindi will generally be the third language for classes 1 to 5. It, however, adds a caveat for students who can opt out of this rule. 'However, if students wish to study any other Indian language instead of Hindi as their third language, they will be permitted to do so. However, in order to offer an alternative language in place of Hindi, a minimum of 20 students from the same class in the same school must express interest in learning that particular language. If at least 20 students express the desire to study a language other than Hindi as their third language, a teacher will be provided to teach that language. Otherwise, the language will be taught through online methods.' As per the original GR, Hindi was mandatory as a third language in Classes 1 to 5 of Marathi and English Medium schools of Maharashtra State Board. Following a widespread backlash, it was declared by the school education minister Dada Bhuse that Hindi will no longer be mandatory and alternatives will be provided for those interested to learn other Indian languages. In fact, Bhuse has also stated that introduction of a third language from Class 1 will be on hold, until a detailed policy with alternatives to Hindi will be ready. The revised order, however, has sparked a fresh row over Hindi in Maharashtra schools. Educationists and political parties have claimed that by limiting choices through restrictive conditions, state is subtly imposing Hindi when there is absolutely no such demand from stakeholders. 'They had promised that they will provide options to Hindi along with curriculum design for them, as it is already fixed for Hindi. In fact, it was also stated that the three-language formula will not be implemented in the absence of curriculum guidelines for alternatives to Hindi. But the revised order is indirectly leaving no option for schools to opt out of Hindi.' senior educationist from Maharashtra, Vasant Kalpande, said. Kalpande highlighted that there are over 80 percent schools in Maharashtra which are not going to meet the condition of having minimum 20 students. 'There is a huge number of government-run schools having total enrolment of students which is less than 20. The number of schools having 20 in one class to opt for an alternative is also going to be very few. Furthermore, with no curriculum, no textbooks and no teachers, how the government plans to allow alternatives to Hindi as third languages?' he asked. The revised order states that in case of students demanding an alternative are less than 20, the said language can be taught in online mode. But Girish Samant, chairman, Shikshan Mandal Goregaon, which runs a very popular Marathi medium school in suburban Mumbai, said, 'This is very unclear as government is asking schools to seek online platforms to teach languages alternative to Hindi; without providing curriculum, textbook or any other support for the same. Furthermore, the government does not justify how language can be taught online to Class 1 students.' Samant highlighted that there is immense opposition by academicians to bring three languages in curriculum as early as in Class 1. 'It is inhuman to force young children in Class 1 to learn three languages,' he said. But according to Sushil Shejule, coordinator of the Marathi School Management Association, 'State government seems to be politically motivated to implement three languages from Class 1, despite the original SCF recommendations of only two languages until Class 5. And their insistence on learning Hindi is illogical as students in Maharashtra are anyway learning spoken Hindi.' Shejule also highlighted procedural gaps when he pointed out that the government's assurance that it will provide a teacher if there are minimum 20 students opting for the alternative, is impossible. 'With no teacher recruitment, this statement by the government is unclear in explaining how it will provide teachers. And more so, what if in big schools there are two groups of 20 students each demanding two different languages to be taught as third language,' said Shejule. Many academicians are also highlighting that introduction of third languages is contrary to SCF recommendations, as opposed to what is being explained by the state government. Mahendra Ganpule, former head of Maharashtra School Principals' Association, said, 'The SCF for Foundational Stage (FS) which includes pre-primary and Class 1 to 2, recommended only two languages. Accordingly, the school time-table for these two classes was already prepared. The introduction of a third language from Class 1 was later decided without any required amendment to SCF-FS. There is no clarity on how a third language will now be adjusted in the already set time table which is as per the SCF-FS.' Educationist Kishore Darak highlighted that the state government has conveniently overlooked a key aspect of the National Curriculum Framework for School Education, 2023 (NCFSE) developed by NCERT under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends introducing a third language only from Class 6. 'It makes no academic sense for Maharashtra to introduce a third language to children as young as the first graders,' said Darak, further questioning the idea of introducing the third language in schools in Maharashtra without having any discussion around it. Meanwhile, school education minister Dada Bhuse issued a statement on Wednesday evening stating that Marathi language is mandatory and Hindi and other Indian languages are optional. Apart from reiterating the revised GR, Bhuse clarified that, 'Marathi will be a compulsory subject in all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction. Strict action will be taken against schools that do not teach Marathi.'
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Business Standard
3 days 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)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Hindi spoken largely in public life, learning it will benefit students: Minister
Maharashtra minister Dada Bhuse on Wednesday defended the government's decision of Hindi to be taught as the third language in schools, saying it is widely used in daily communication and will help Class 12 students in higher education. The school education minister also warned of strict action against schools not teaching Marathi, as per the curriculum. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued an order saying Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the state from classes 1 to 5. The amended government resolution (GR) said Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being mandatory, and 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. Some pro-Marathi outfits accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking, and the opposition Congress accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest. Live Events Bhuse noted that while an earlier government communication used the word "mandatory" for Hindi, the revised order issued on Tuesday described it as "generally" the third language, a subtle shift which critics have flagged as ambiguous. The minister, however, defended the government's decision, saying learning Hindi will benefit students. "Learning Hindi is important because it is largely used for communication in public life," the minister told reporters here. "After the 12th standard, the Union government has given importance to scores in the third language as well. In such a policy, students from Maharashtra should not fall behind; hence the three-language policy is accepted," he said. "Hence, learning Hindi will benefit students in the long run," Bhuse said. He pointed out that Hindi is already being taught from class 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools, while in non-Marathi-medium schools, Marathi remains compulsory and English is taught as the third language. Addressing concerns over the imposition of Hindi, Bhuse said students will be given the option to choose another Indian language as the third language. "If students opt for any other language, we are making arrangements for that. If fewer students select it, the language will be taught online or through other available medium. The decision to select a third language is left to students and their parents," he added. It could help students to improve their merit, the minister said. He also said strict action would be taken against schools not teaching Marathi as per the curriculum. "If any school is found not teaching Marathi, we will issue warnings. If they fail to comply, we will take action such as cancelling the school's registration," he said. Bhuse acknowledged that several Marathi-medium schools in the state have shut down over the years and there is a decline in enrolments in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) schools. "It is a fact that student enrolment in many Marathi schools is on a decline. We have to accept the reality. Even schools run by municipal corporations have reported losing students to other schools. We will welcome all suggestions to improve the situation," he said. Responding to a separate query, Bhuse said the government plans to appoint around 9,000 new teachers in the next one-and-a-half months.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Hindi spoken largely in public life, learning it will benefit students: Maharashtra minister
MUMBAI: Maharashtra minister Dada Bhuse on Wednesday defended the government's decision of Hindi to be taught as the third language in schools, saying it is widely used in daily communication and will help Class 12 students in higher education. The school education minister also warned of strict action against schools not teaching Marathi, as per the curriculum. The Maharashtra government on Tuesday issued an order saying Hindi will "generally" be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools in the state from classes 1 to 5. The amended government resolution (GR) said Hindi will "generally" be the third language, instead of being mandatory, and 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. Some pro-Marathi outfits accused the government of reintroducing the policy through the "backdoor" after initially backtracking, and the opposition Congress accused the Devendra Fadnavis-led government of "stabbing" the Marathi people in the chest.
