Hindi will now be mandatory in Maharashtra as the third language after Marathi and English for classes 1 to 5, as per the new school curriculum. The language will be made compulsory in both Marathi and English-medium schools across the state, as opposed to the prevailing practice of studying two languages.
The National Education Policy (NEP) has introduced the three-language formula for these classes in Maharashtra as a part of the new curriculum implementation, reported The Indian Express newspaper. The education department declared this on Wednesday and said a phase-wise implementation plan of the new curriculum framework, designed as per the NEP 2020 rules.
The other medium schools in the state are already teaching these three languages since English and Marathi are compulsory in the state, as per the Government Resolution (GR). These schools also teach the language that is their medium of instruction. whereas in English and Marathi medium schools, only two languages were taught.
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The GR stated that the commencement of the 5+3+3+4 structure of school education, as recommended under NEP 2020. Students in Classes 1 to 5 will now study all three languages—Marathi, English, and Hindi—regardless of their medium of instruction. Hindi will be introduced as a third language in both Marathi and English medium schools, while other mediums will follow a similar pattern that ensures the inclusion of Marathi and English.
From class 6 onwards, language instruction will adhere to the State Curriculum Framework, which is in line with national policy directives. The school education department has declared the phase-wise implementation plan for the new structure, starting with Class 1 in the academic year 2025-26. The three-language formula will also be implemented as per the prescribed phases, starting with Class 1 in the upcoming academic year.
The textbooks of the Maharashtra State Board will now be based on the curriculum developed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), along with modifications as per Maharashtra’s local context, especially in subjects like social science and languages. Accordingly, Class 1 textbooks are being published by Balbharati, the state textbook bureau.