Maharashtra Government’s New Language Policy for Classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English Medium Schools

Hindi mandatory as the third language

Credits : Bigtvlive English

Mumbai – As per the State Curriculum Framework for School Education 2024, the Maharashtra Government has made Hindi mandatory as the third language for students from Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English medium schools. For schools of other mediums, Marathi and English will be taught as languages up to Class 5. From Class 6 to 10, the language policy will follow the same curriculum framework guidelines.

The decision is mentioned under the subheading ‘Language Policy’ in the official curriculum document.

Key Developments:

1. Earlier, the government had faced strong opposition from parents, political leaders, and teachers’ unions after it decided to make Hindi compulsory in Marathi medium schools right from Class 1 while implementing the new National Education Policy and State Curriculum Framework in the current academic year.

2. In response to the backlash, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse had announced a rollback, stating that Hindi would not be made compulsory from Class 1.

3. Now, the government has clarified that Hindi will be compulsory as the third language from Classes 1 to 5. However, if students wish to study another Indian language instead of Hindi as their third language, they may be allowed to do so provided at least 20 students opt for that language.