Maharashtra Schools Drop Third Language in Revised Curriculum

The State Council for Education Research and Training (SCERT) in Maharashtra has announced a significant change in the curriculum for state government schools. The revised draft, disclosed on August 27, 2023, eliminates the requirement for a third language for students in Classes 3 to 10, allowing schools to continue teaching only two languages until further recommendations are made by the Narendra Jadhav committee.

This decision marks a pivotal shift in language education in the state, which has sparked considerable debate among educators and parents. Presently, only students’ first and second language syllabi have been prepared. According to SCERT director Rahul Rekhawar, the third language will be incorporated into the curriculum only after the committee finalizes its recommendations and the government makes a formal decision.

Tamil Nadu currently stands as the only Indian state that implements a two-language policy in its educational framework. The exclusion of the third language has reignited discussions about language diversity in schools, particularly regarding the imposition of Hindi in Marathi and English medium institutions.

Education activists have advocated for allowing schools the autonomy to choose their third language based on local and cultural relevance. The new curriculum aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and encompasses a broad range of subjects, including environmental education, Indian knowledge systems, and entrepreneurship skills, which aim to promote holistic development across various grades.

Overview of the Revised Curriculum

The revised curriculum introduces 20 subjects, such as Marathi, English, mathematics, science, and history, among others. Notably, it includes a dedicated vocational education curriculum beginning from Class 6 and redefines environmental studies for Classes 3 to 5 under the title “The World Around Us.” This new structure is designed to promote sustainable development, social inclusion, and interdisciplinary learning, reflecting the broader goals set forth by the NEP.

The draft curriculum has been made available on the SCERT website, with an invitation for feedback from stakeholders, including teachers, parents, and educational experts, until August 27, 2023. Respondents are encouraged to provide detailed suggestions, specifying the subject, grade, original content, proposed changes, and the rationale behind their suggestions.

The absence of the third language from the draft has drawn criticism, particularly from parents’ groups and regional political leaders who oppose making Hindi compulsory in states where it is not the native language. Mahendra Ganpule, former vice-president of the state headmasters’ association, commented that the new draft mirrors the previous one published in line with SCF 2024.

As the educational landscape evolves, the implications of this curriculum change will likely continue to resonate throughout Maharashtra’s schools, reflecting broader discussions about language, identity, and education in India.