Maharashtra Makes Marathi Compulsory for All Students from Class 1 to 10
The Maharashtra government has issued a new directive making Marathi a mandatory subject for all students from Class 1 to Class 10 in every school across the state. This applies to all educational boards, including CBSE, ICSE, and international boards. Schools failing to comply will face strict action, including possible cancellation of recognition.
Details of the Mandate
According to an official statement from the Maharashtra School Education Department, the decision was taken to promote the state language and ensure every child learns Marathi. The directive states that Marathi must be taught as a compulsory language subject for at least one period daily. Schools must submit a compliance report within 30 days.
Impact on Non-Compliant Schools
Non-compliant schools will be issued a show-cause notice. If they fail to rectify the issue, the government may cancel their recognition or impose fines. The education department has warned that no school will be exempted from this rule.
Reactions and Implementation
Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar said, "Marathi is our mother tongue and identity. This step will strengthen the language among the younger generation." The decision has received mixed reactions, with some parents expressing concern over additional academic burden, while linguistic activists have welcomed it.
Background and Previous Efforts
The state had previously made Marathi compulsory in primary classes, but this is the first time it has been extended to all classes up to 10th. Schools have been given until the next academic year to implement the change fully.
