Maharashtra Makes Hindi Mandatory for Classes 1 to 5
The Maharashtra School Education Department has made Hindi a compulsory third language for Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English-medium schools. This decision, announced on April 16, 2025, aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and will begin from the upcoming academic year.
Rollout of the New Language Rule
Until now, Marathi and English were the only mandatory languages taught in Classes 1 to 4. The new rule introduces Hindi from Grade 1 onward, eventually covering all primary classes up to Grade 5. Although other schools already follow the three-language formula, this update brings uniformity across the state.
The implementation will take place in phases, starting with Grade 1 in the next academic session.
Alignment with NEP 2020
Maharashtra is restructuring its school education system as per the NEP 2020 guidelines. The new model divides learning into four stages:
- Foundational Stage: Pre-primary (3 years), plus Grades 1 and 2
- Preparatory Stage: Grades 3 to 5
- Middle Stage: Grades 6 to 8
- Secondary Stage: Grades 9 to 12
To support this, the State Board syllabus will now follow the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) framework. However, it will still include Maharashtra’s local context in subjects such as History, Geography, and regional languages.
A Focus on Quality and Inclusion
The updated education plan emphasizes five key values: inclusiveness, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability. The goal is to create a system that supports all students regardless of background. Making Hindi mandatory aims to promote multilingual skills and improve communication abilities from a young age.
What This Means for Schools and Parents
Schools must now prepare to teach Hindi starting from Grade 1. This means training teachers, updating textbooks, and revising classroom activities. Parents should also be aware of this change, as it may require extra support at home to help children adjust to a new language.
To assist schools, the government may provide resources such as teacher training and digital learning tools. These efforts are intended to make the transition smooth and effective.
Conclusion
By making Hindi a required third language in primary education, Maharashtra is taking a major step in implementing the NEP 2020. This change not only supports national education goals but also strengthens students’ language skills. With a phased rollout and a focus on inclusion, the new curriculum aims to offer a well-rounded, multilingual learning experience for young learners.
