With just two weeks left for schools to reopen, conflicting directives from the state education department leave parents and schools uncertain about actual language policy under NEP 2020. Raj Thackrey-led MNS however strongly opposes the three language system in Maharashtra
Initially Hindi was made mandatory from Std I to Std V for all schools across Maharashtra, before opposition to it. Representation Pic/istock
Ambiguity continues in Maharashtra over the status of Hindi and the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Initially, the state government had made Hindi mandatory from Std I to Std V for all schools across Maharashtra. However, following strong opposition, it announced the withdrawal of the directive.
Despite this, Balbharati — the Maharashtra Bureau of Textbook Production and Curriculum Research — is preparing Hindi textbooks titled Khel Khel Mein Sikhe Hindi (Learn Hindi Through Play), raising questions about the actual status of the language in the school curriculum. With just over 15 days left for schools to reopen for the new academic year, these mixed signals from the government are said to be creating confusion and uncertainty among students and parents.
School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, in an interaction with a leading Marathi daily, stated: “Since there is opposition to the three-language policy, the government will form a committee to study the issue.” When mid-day tried to contact the minister, he was unreachable. A text message to Bhuse also went unanswered till the time of going to press.
In mid-April this year, the Maharashtra government issued a government resolution (GR) stating that the current two-language format in schools would be replaced by a three-language structure under NEP, with Hindi made mandatory alongside Marathi and English. However, after facing severe criticism, the education minister clarified a few days later that Hindi would not be mandatory, but an optional subject. According to NEP 2020, students must learn three languages, with at least two of them being native to India.
Now, with the Marathi Study Centre and the Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) opposing the three-language structure — and the minister announcing a task force to study the issue — it has only added to the confusion. It remains unclear whether the three-language formula will be implemented from Std I across all schools in Maharashtra this year, or if it will be deferred.
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