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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Hindi default 3rd language in Maharashtra schools unless 20 students pick alternative
Mumbai: Hindi will not be a compulsory third language in Maharashtra state board schools, but it will be the default choice unless at least 20 students in a class opt for an alternative language, according to a government resolution (GR) issued late Tuesday. This comes months after the Maharashtra government's proposal to make Hindi compulsory starting from Class 1 triggered widespread criticism from educationists and opposition political parties, who considered it an imposition of Hindi and an undermining of Marathi. The revised order has reignited criticism of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti government on the topic, with experts and opposition leaders saying it was in effect a backdoor entry of the compulsory-Hindi policy and a betrayal of the Marathi people. As per the new GR, issued by the state school education department, while a third language is mandatory, Hindi will no longer be compulsory. However, it will 'in general' be the third language for Classes 1-5 in Marathi- and English-medium schools. Schools or parents may choose an alternative Indian language, provided that at least 20 students in a class opt for it. If this threshold is met, a teacher for that language will be appointed, or it will be taught online. The GR is part of the ongoing implementation of the State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024, which is aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Critics argued that while the GR appears to offer flexibility, it effectively imposes Hindi by making it difficult to opt for other languages. 'This is again the compulsion of Hindi in another form,' said an education expert, pointing out the practical hurdles in securing a teacher for a different language or getting 20 students per class to opt for it. The new directive appears to contradict the statements of state education minister Dadaji Bhuse in April, assuring that Hindi would not be imposed. After a GR proposing Hindi as a compulsory third language from Class 1 triggered widespread backlash, Bhuse had said that Hindi would no longer be mandatory in the early grades. He later said that the government had received suggestions to introduce Hindi from Class 3 instead, adding that the decision was being reconsidered. He had also said that the three-language formula was 'on hold'. Education experts expressed strong dissent over the new GR. 'The government wants to come in through the back door and crush Marathi children by burdening their fragile brains with Hindi,' said Ramesh Panse, senior educationist and member of the steering committee for the State Curriculum Framework. 'The parents of Marathi children should foil this plot. Political parties that claim to support Marathi must wake up and oppose this policy on a large scale to protect Marathi students.' Vasant Kalpande, former director of school education, argued that the requirement for 20 students to opt for a non-Hindi language and the provision to teach such languages only online are veiled attempts to discourage their selection. 'Although Marathi and Hindi share a similar script, it is too much to expect young students to understand the differences and nuances between them at such an early age,' said Kalpande. He added that Hindi is not a compulsory third language in states like Gujarat and Assam. Deepak Pawar, founder of the Marathi Bhasha Abhyas Kendra, which works to promote the Marathi language, accused the Maharashtra government of breaking its promise. 'The government has betrayed the Marathi people. If we stay silent now, it will pave the way for dismantling the federal structure and erasing the legacy of the Samyukta Maharashtra movement,' he said.
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Imposing Hindi threat to linguistic, cultural identity: Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad
The Maharashtra Sahitya Parishad has objected to the state government's latest decision about Hindi as a third optional language from Class 1, calling it 'a threat to the linguistic and cultural identity of Maharashtra.' In a meeting held on Thursday, the Parishad demanded an immediate withdrawal of the government resolution (GR) dated June 17, giving the government a seven-day deadline to revoke the decision. Attendees at the meeting included Prof Milind Joshi, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal, author and language advisor Laxmikant Deshmukh, and noted writer Achyut Godbole. Prof Joshi said, 'We have formally written to chief minister Devendra Fadnavis urging the government to immediately withdraw the GR. This policy is in direct contradiction to the NEP and even contradicts education minister Dadaji Bhuse's public statement in Pune on May 25, where he had said the plan to introduce a third language from Class 1 was on hold.' The members of the literary body argued that the state's new policy violates this framework and has been reintroduced without consulting education experts, literary bodies, or the state language advisory committee. Deshmukh, chairperson of the advisory committee, said, 'The imposition of Hindi, even indirectly, is viewed as a cultural and linguistic imposition. Marathi already faces growing pressure from Hindi in Maharashtra. This move will only deepen the crisis.' He also flagged the acute shortage of qualified language teachers, especially in rural and zilla parishad schools. 'Many primary schools have just one or two teachers. Without fresh recruitment, enforcing this policy using existing staff is both unrealistic and unjust,' he added. The parishad also questioned the rationale behind Maharashtra being the only state to mandate a third language from Class 1. 'Why should Maharashtra deviate from the national norm? No other state has implemented such a move,' said Prof Joshi. The group has warned that if their demands are ignored, they may launch a statewide peaceful protest in defence of the Marathi language and identity. Educationist and language expert and president of the 98th Marathi Literary Meet at New Delhi, Tara Bhawalkar said, 'A child must first gain mastery in their mother tongue. Only when their foundation is strong can they learn other languages effectively.' She cautioned that forcing three languages too early—especially for children with limited academic support at home—could cause confusion and learning setbacks. 'Till Class 4, all subjects should be taught in the mother tongue. Additional languages can be introduced from Class 5 onwards, with the third language starting in Class 7,' she said. Meanwhile, school education minister Dadaji Bhuse, responding to the growing debate, said the policy allows flexibility. 'In Marathi and English medium schools, Hindi will generally be the third language from Classes 1 to 5. However, students may opt for another Indian language instead of Hindi, provided at least 20 students in a class make the request. If not, the alternate language will be taught online,' he said.
Hindustan Times
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Govt plans to amend fee regulation act to spike exorbitant hikes, fudging, by schools
MUMBAI: With complaints pouring in about the exorbitant fee hikes by private schools, the state government has decided to amend the Maharashtra Education Institutions (Regulation of Fee) Act, 2011. It is expected to do away with the provision that necessitates complaints by a minimum of 25% of parents for action to be taken, and will also introduce an area-wise fee structure based on the operating cost of the schools. The amendments are expected to be on the lines of a fee regulation act existing in neighbouring Gujarat. Maharashtra's existing fee regulation act has a provision for a fee hike of up to 15% every two years which is in accordance with the infrastructure upgrade by school managements. Individual complaints about fee hikes have been reaching the government but they do not make it to the divisional fee regulatory committee under retired district-level judges. 'Since bringing 25% of parents together to sign a petition is a difficult task, the complaints do not reach the committees,' said an official from the school education department. 'Besides, parents are wary of raising a voice against school managements for fear of the negative repercussions on the prospects of their children.' The government is now considering doing away with the condition to enable even individual parents to register complaints against fee hikes. The school education department, which has constituted a committee of education and legal experts, has studied the provisions of the Gujarat Self-Financed Schools (Regulation of Fees) Act, 2017. 'The Gujarat Act has fee slabs varying from area to area depending on the operation cost, demand-supply and cost of living,' said the official. 'It also has a robust mechanism for grievance redressal at the local level. The committee has recommended the adoption of the provisions in Gujarat, which will suit Maharashtra on account of the glaring per capita income gap between rural and urban areas.' The officer said that the amended law would have a robust system of assessment of the cost of infrastructure cited by school managements while fixing or raising fees. 'A fee hike will be allowed only after it has been vetted through this mechanism,' he said. 'Currently, school managements propose the fee and the hikes by inflating the cost of the infrastructure upgradation and the facilities given to the students.' The officer said that though hike proposals were approved by the executive Parent-Teacher Associations, most of the times the representatives of these associations were the ones favouring school managements. School education minister Dadaji Bhuse, when asked, confirmed that amendments to the act were planned. He added that the department would take strict action on complaints by parents regarding fee hikes. The existing law is also applicable to government schools, apart from aided, partially aided, non-aided and self-financed schools, although the alleged violations are by the self-financed schools. There are more than 16,000 self-financed schools, largely in cities like Mumbai as well as the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, whose numbers are rising every year. The Gujarat law regulates only self-financed schools but the Maharashtra government is likely to continue with its provision of covering all schools, including government schools. According to officials, government schools will also be allowed to hike their fees in proportion to the facilities given and upgradation of infrastructure. The amended law will also cover coaching classes, which are proposed to be regulated by a law expected to be enacted in the forthcoming monsoon session. A senior minister from the Mahayuti government alleged that the provisions of the law enacted in 2011 by the Congress-led government were never parent-friendly in order to safeguard the interest of education barons who were part of the government. Welcoming the government's proposal, Advocate Anubha Sahay, president of the India Wide Parents Association, said that parents had been demanding this for a long time. 'We fully support these amendments,' she said. Sahay also stressed the need for greater financial transparency in schools. 'The government must make it mandatory for schools to submit their audit reports every year,' she added. Speaking about issues with the earlier District Fee Regulation Committee (DFRC), she said that many judges had refused to participate due to inadequate facilities and lack of compensation. 'The government needs to seriously address these concerns,' she said. Citing legal precedent, Sahay pointed out that Gujarat's education regulation act had received approval from both the Gujarat high court and the Supreme Court. 'If our government follows that model, it will be a step in the right direction,' she said. Meanwhile, a representative of a city-based school management association said, 'We have not yet received any official draft, so we cannot comment formally. We are already submitting our audit reports to the Charity Commissioner every year, and we are open to sharing them with the education department too.' However, the representative cautioned against provisions that could allow the misuse of regulations. 'If the government allows complaints based on a single person's grievance, there must be a clear definition of what constitutes a 'single person' in this context,' they said. 'Without such clarity, schools could face trouble from individuals trying to exploit the system.' (With inputs by Niraj Pandit)
Indian Express
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
As Hindi made optional, Maharashtra schools look to offer options such as Urdu and Gujarati as third language
After the Maharashtra government rolled back its decision to make Hindi mandatory as the third language in classes 1 to 5 across Marathi- and English-medium schools in the state, the schools are looking to offer options such as Gujarati and Urdu. However, the absence of clear guidelines from the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education has sparked widespread confusion and concerns about a chaotic start to the academic year beginning June. The government issued an order on April 16 making Hindi the mandatory third language from classes 1 to 5, but later gave in to the pushback against the move. School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse on April 22 said after a Cabinet meeting, '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.' However, with no clear alternatives to Hindi provided by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), many fear that schools may impose Hindi as the default third language. Furthermore, with no freedom to decide what they should do and whether to offer options, concerns arise that some students may be left with only two languages, leading to inconsistency in school education, which contradicts the uniformity expected under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Some schools have already begun taking the initiative. In Mumbai, Anjuman Islam English Medium School plans to offer Urdu as a third language. The institution, which already runs Urdu-medium schools, has the necessary resources, including trained teachers and curriculum materials. Similarly, schools in Pune have begun collecting nursery rhymes and basic learning materials in Gujarati and Bengali to meet the demand from parents of students. However, the larger problem lies in the government's lack of clarity on whether schools will have that liberty. Nazma Kazi, trustee of Anjuman Islam Educational Institutions, emphasised the need for communication from the government. 'Even if the SCERT needs time to prepare the content, the state must officially allow schools to decide their third language for now, along with a clear timeline for when structured support will be provided,' she said. Jagruti Dharmadhikari, director of Padma Education Society, which runs several schools and is also the president of the Independent English Medium School Managements' Association, said, 'While the decision to make Hindi optional is welcome, it has brought more confusion than clarity.' Dharmadhikari noted that with basic AI tools, schools run by the society have managed to generate translated content, such as nursery rhymes, in Gujarati and Bengali, which can easily be verified by teachers fluent in those languages. 'If we can do this, SCERT certainly can with the available resources of subject experts. It is a question of willingness. The government says the third language should be taught only at a conversational level. Then why the delay in giving out the curriculum structure for other languages?' she asked. Teachers have also pointed out that Maharashtra already has schools functioning in eight different mediums, suggesting that foundational-level content for various Indian languages is already available and can be adapted. School managements and educationists fear that, without concrete guidance, many institutions might default to teaching Hindi. Senior educationist Vasant Kalpande voiced strong concerns about the rushed rollout of the three-language formula without proper preparation. 'What is the point of introducing it when there is no clarity on options to Hindi, which could lead to some students left with only two languages to study, while others learn three,' he said. He questioned if the state plans to subtly impose Hindi as a third language, leaving room for confusion by delaying options. 'Most government schools are likely to follow suit out of fear. In other cases, leaving it up to the school to decide whether or not to teach Hindi as a third language will be chaotic, especially without adequate options. To avoid this chaos, the state should defer implementation of three languages to Class 1 until there is clarity on options,' he suggested. Adding to the concerns, senior educator Basanti Roy pointed out the logistical challenges of introducing a third language in under-resourced government schools, particularly in rural areas. 'Many zilla parishad (ZP)-run Marathi medium schools have only one teacher who is often unqualified to teach English, yet English is already mandatory as a second language. The reverse is also true in English medium schools, where teachers struggle with Marathi. The state never evaluated the effectiveness of implementing these two languages, and now it has introduced a third without addressing existing gaps,' she said.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Area-wise info of pre-schools on single portal
Mumbai: Parents in Maharashtra may soon have access to information about all pre-primary schools in their vicinity on one official platform. The information will not only include details on their website addresses, the students enrolled, and when they were started, but also on the physical infrastructure available, including the number of toilets, and the teachers and attendants available at the pre-schools. In a first such initiative to have consolidated data on pre-schools under one platform, the state govt launched a portal for their registration. With the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the central govt has brought children in the 3-6 age group under its ambit. The state is now making an attempt to implement the policy in a phased manner. Though the women and child development department has details on anganwadis, there is little or no control over private institutions offering pre-primary education. So, the state has launched this portal to bring all private centres providing pre-primary education under one platform, said school education minister Dadaji Bhuse. The portal was launched by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday. The information sought from the pre-schools in the registration forms available online also includes data on whether the school enrols children with special needs, whether they have CCTV surveillance, or if they have playgrounds or even water tanks. In the section made available for teachers, schools have to fill in details about their qualification. The data will also help the govtframe a policy for pre-primary education soon. Principal secretary, School Education, Ranjit Singh Deol, said that registration on the portal will not be mandatory as of now. "Currently, the state does not have information on all such private centres providing pre-primary education. Once the policy is framed and implemented, registration will become mandatory for all," said Deol.
