The Maharashtra government has reiterated that Marathi must be taught in all schools across the state, regardless of the board of education or medium of instruction. School Education Minister Dadaji Bhuse announced that strict action will be taken against institutions that fail to comply with this rule.
The directive applies to all schools operating in Maharashtra, including those affiliated with national and international boards such as CBSE, ICSE, IB, and Cambridge. The minister clarified that Marathi cannot be excluded under any circumstances.
Legal Basis Behind the Policy
The rule is based on a state government notification issued on March 1, 2020, which made Marathi a mandatory subject in schools across Maharashtra.
According to the regulation:
- Marathi must be taught from Classes 1 to 10.
- The rule applies to all mediums of instruction, including English-medium and international schools.
- The subject can be offered as a second language or third language, depending on the school’s curriculum.
The government emphasized that the policy ensures students studying in the state are familiar with the official language and cultural heritage of Maharashtra.
Government Warns of Strict Action
During a discussion in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, the education minister warned that schools failing to implement the rule could face serious consequences.
Possible actions include:
- Government inspections of non-compliant schools
- Official warnings to school managements
- Revocation of recognition if violations continue
The minister also encouraged legislators to report any school that does not follow the rule so that authorities can investigate promptly.
Applicability Across All Education Boards
A key point clarified by the government is that the rule applies universally across all school boards operating in Maharashtra.
This includes:
- State board schools
- Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools
- Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) schools
- International curriculum schools such as IB and Cambridge
Even these institutions must include Marathi as part of their language curriculum.
Reason Behind the Decision
The state government has said the policy aims to:
- Preserve and promote the Marathi language and culture
- Ensure students living in Maharashtra can communicate in the state’s official language
- Strengthen linguistic identity and cultural awareness among younger generations
Officials emphasized that the state will not compromise on the implementation of this policy.
Additional Education Reforms Announced
Alongside the language policy, the government also indicated that it is working on regulations for private pre-primary schools.
The proposed measures include:
- Mandatory registration on a pre-school portal
- Creation of a centralized database for parents and authorities
- Quality standards for infrastructure, safety, and staffing
These steps are intended to improve transparency and monitoring in early childhood education.
Impact on Schools and Students
The policy ensures that every student studying in Maharashtra receives basic education in the Marathi language, regardless of the school board.
For schools, the decision means they must:
- Introduce Marathi as a subject if it is currently absent
- Appoint qualified Marathi teachers
- Align curriculum structures with the state language policy
For students, it provides an opportunity to learn the regional language while continuing education in their chosen medium.
