On February 27,2020, The Maharashtra(MH) state government assembly has unanimously approved a law, compulsory “ Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 ” to make Marathi Language as a mandatory subject in all schools of the state. As per the bill, schools which fails to implement the new rule have to pay a penalty of Rs. 1 lakh.
Key points:
i.Marathi will become a compulsory subject in all schools from Class I to Class X in the academic year 2020-2021. Initially Marathi language will Introduced from class I to VI and shall be Extended to further classes in subsequent years.
ii.In 2024 Marathi subject will be taught from Class I to Class X and the schools will follow a curriculum prescribed by the government.
iii.This law will be applicable to all boards like CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), CISCE (Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations), IB (International Baccalaureate) board, IGSCE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education), NIOS (National Institute of Open Schooling).
iv.Maharashtra state Government Minister for Marathi Language Subhash Desai introduced the Bill in the Lower House and the development came on Marathi Bhasha Din (Marathi language day) which is celebrated on February 27, the birth anniversary of poet and Jnanpith award winner late Vishnu Vaman Shirwadkar.
v.Marathi teaching and assessment of students in Marathi will be a mandatory condition for granting the government’s no-objection certificate for schools and The Bill was initially introduced in the Legislative Assembly and then in the Legislative Council.
