MUMBAI, 8th January 2025: The Maharashtra government has announced that Marathi will be a compulsory subject in all schools, including those affiliated with CBSE, ICSE, IB, and state boards, beginning in the 2025-26 academic year. This decision, outlined by School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, is aimed at preserving and promoting the state’s linguistic heritage.
Key Directive: Proficiency in Basic Working Marathi
Minister Bhuse emphasized that all school staff across Maharashtra will be required to have proficiency in “basic working Marathi.” The directive is part of a broader effort to ensure that Marathi is taught in every school in the state, irrespective of the curriculum followed. Bhuse reiterated his commitment to this cause, highlighting the importance of Marathi, which has been recognized as a classical language.
End of Pandemic Relaxations
The directive also signals the end of pandemic-related concessions that allowed schools to assess Marathi using grades instead of numerical marks. The relaxation, which was implemented during the pandemic to accommodate challenges faced by students, will cease as the current batch of students progresses to Class 11.
“The relaxation granted in April 2023 was a one-time measure to help students adjust during the pandemic,” Bhuse said. “That concession ends as the current batch advances to Class 11.”
Marathi as a Core Subject
Starting from the 2025-26 academic year, Marathi will be assessed with marks to ensure it aligns with other core subjects. Bhuse stressed the importance of having qualified faculty members to teach the language, and a language proficiency test for school staff may be introduced as part of this initiative.
The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act, which was enacted in 2020, mandates that all schools, regardless of their board affiliation, make Marathi a compulsory subject. While schools in the state were required to implement this, the pandemic allowed temporary relaxations that enabled non-state board schools to assess Marathi with grades for Classes 8, 9, and 10.
Support from Educationists
The move to reintroduce marks for Marathi assessments has been widely welcomed by educationists. They believe that this change will elevate Marathi’s status in the curriculum and foster deeper engagement with the language. Educationists also emphasized the need for schools to update curricula, hire qualified teachers, and ensure adequate resources for the smooth implementation of the new policy.
“This shift to a marks-based system places Marathi on the same footing as other subjects and encourages students to develop stronger proficiency,” said a senior educationist. “This change is a significant step in preserving Maharashtra’s linguistic heritage.”
Ensuring Smooth Implementation
The government has assured close monitoring of the implementation process to ensure that schools are adequately prepared for the transition. Minister Bhuse stressed that the initiative is not only about education but also about instilling cultural pride and ensuring that future generations appreciate the richness of the Marathi language.
The initiative reflects the state’s ongoing efforts to safeguard its linguistic and cultural legacy, ensuring that Marathi remains an integral part of the educational system for years to come.
