Maharashtra To Extend Official Curriculum Support To Marathi Schools In US
During a visit to the Bay Area in San Francisco as part of his US tour, Mr Shelar met office-bearers of the Maharashtra Mandal, which oversees Marathi schools in the region. These community-run institutions, led by committed members of the Marathi diaspora, focus on teaching the Marathi language, culture, history and folk traditions to the next generation.
The Bay Area school, operational since 2005, currently educates around 300 students in Marathi.
Across the US, more than 50 Marathi schools are functioning through voluntary efforts by the community. Representatives at the meeting told Mr Shelar that official recognition from the Maharashtra government - including a formal curriculum and examination framework - would streamline teaching, certification and administration.
In response, Mr Shelar pledged to discuss the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse. He assured the Mandal that the government would extend full cooperation, including the provision of official curriculum content and recommendation letters to support the schools' functioning.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Maharashtra govt inks 2 MoUs to enhance school education, promote math, science learning
Advt Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Wednesday signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with two organisations to provide quality, experiential learning and make education more engaging for students across the MoUs were inked with Khan Academy and Sri Sri Rural Development Trust (SSRDT) in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra agreements aim to bring technology-driven, learner-centric education into classrooms and promote foundational learning in mathematics and science, as well as holistic school development, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) at the MoU signing ceremony, Fadnavis said, "This is a crucial step toward making education more engaging and effective for students. These partnerships will play a vital role in nurturing curiosity and talent among young learners." Under the partnership with Khan Academy, the state will launch the 'Dr Jayant Narlikar Maths and Science Learning Enhancement Programme' for students from grades 1 to 10. The programme will offer curriculum-aligned content in Marathi and English to strengthen conceptual understanding, supported by self-paced video-based learning modules, said the initiative will be implemented over three years by the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT).The collaboration with Sri Sri Rural Development Trust, part of the Bengaluru-based Art of Living Foundation, will focus on implementing experiential learning models in 150 selected government schools. The programme includes school development planning, infrastructure improvement, teacher training, student capacity building, and enhanced community project will initially include model schools under the National Education Policy 's 'School Complex' concept, including PM Shri and CM Shri schools. The rural trust will focus on infrastructure, learning outcomes, and strengthening the school ecosystem, the statement added.
India Today
a day ago
- India Today
Is Raj Thackeray's stagecraft with MVA another prep for Maharashtra's political reset?
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray, in a signal of a possible political realignment, will be attending the 77th foundation day of the Peasants and Workers Party (PWP) in Panvel, near Mumbai, on August 2, sharing the stage with leaders of the Opposition front in the leaders of the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) scheduled to attend the function are Shashikant Shinde, state president of the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar); Sanjay Raut, Rajya Sabha MP from the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray); and Vijay Wadettiwar, leader of the Congress legislature party and a former will be seen joining forces with the MVA, which is part of the wider anti-BJP INDIA bloc, at a time when speculation is rife about a political reconciliation between him and estranged first cousin Uddhav Thackeray. On July 5, Uddhav and Raj had broken two decades of mutual political distancing by sharing the stage in Mumbai and espousing a joint cause of protecting Patil, general secretary of the PWP, confirmed that Raj, Raut, Shinde and Wadettiwar will attend the foundation day rally, declaring: 'Raj Thackeray is tilting towards the INDIA alliance We are coming together on the issue of Marathi.' Patil's reference was to the Shiv Sena (UBT), MNS, Congress, NCP (SCP), PWP and the Left rallying against the BJP-led Mahayuti government's decision to introduce Hindi as a third language from Standard I in Maharashtra's schools. Widespread opposition from political parties, educationists and parents has forced the Devendra Fadnavis government to keep the decision in abeyance for had met Raj at his residence in Mumbai's Dadar (West) to invite him for the foundation day function. Pointed to historical connections, he said 'Prabhodankar' Keshav Sitaram Thackeray, grandfather of the Thackeray cousins, and PWP leaders such as Bhausaheb Raut had been comrades in the Samyukta Maharashtra movement that had called for the creation of a Marathi-speaking state of Maharashtra, with Mumbai as its PWP, born out of the non-Brahmin movement in 1948 and claiming a Marxist and Bahujan credo, was once the principal Opposition force in Maharashtra. Now, the party is restricted to Raigad district, abutting Mumbai; Sangola in Solapur district; parts of Kolhapur district such as Sangrul; and pockets of Osmanabad, including Tuljapur. The PWP retains its base among the Aagri and Koli communities in the Maharashtra assembly polls last year, the PWP fielded 14 candidates, of whom only Dr Babasaheb Deshmukh won, from Sangola in Solapur district. Deshmukh is the grandson of former minister and PWP veteran Ganpatrao Deshmukh aka poll result was a far cry from the four seats the PWP had won in 2009—three of them from Raigad alone. The defeat of Patil's daughter-in-law Chitralekha from Alibag constituency to Mahendra Dalvi of the Shiv Sena led by deputy chief minister Eknath Shinde came as a shocker for the PWP. In most of the seats contested, the PWP had faced candidates from MVA constituents such as the Shiv Sena (UBT).advertisementBefore the assembly elections, Patil, a four-term member of legislative council, had suffered a shock defeat in the legislative council elections held in July 2024. The ruling Mahayuti won nine of the 11 seats up for who had the MVA's backing, bit the dust amidst massive horse-trading and cross-voting. In these elections, the Shiv Sena (UBT) had fielded Milind Narvekar, personal assistant of Uddhav. Narvekar's was seen as a wild-card entry at a time the legislative council polls were poised to pick winners the assembly polls, Patil's brother and former MLA Subhash aka Panditset Patil, and Aaswad Patil, the son of his sister and former MLA Meenakshitai Patil, had joined the the setbacks, the PWP maintains that it is part of the MVA. The upcoming local body elections are being seen as a litmus test for the party and the Opposition at large. The question is: will Raj's move to attend the PWP rally be a one-time gesture or open up new possibilities amidst the political fluidity?advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
'Rummy' video row: Never asked to resign by NCP leaders or CM Devendra Fadnavis, says Manikrao Kokate
Amid speculation on his continuation in the Maharashtra Cabinet, controversial Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate on Thursday (July 31, 2025) claimed he neither offered to resign nor was he asked to step down by the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) or Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. A huge political firestorm erupted after videos purportedly showing Mr. Kokate playing a rummy game of cards in the State legislature went viral. The Opposition has been demanding Mr. Kokate's resignation over his repeated remarks that have triggered controversies in the last few months. The NCP leader has denied allegations of playing a game of cards. "I do not want to speak on this issue anymore. I will speak after the inquiry report (on the card game issue) is out," Mr. Kokate told a Marathi news channel in Pune. Mr. Kokate was reportedly ticked off by Ajit Pawar on Tuesday (July 29, 2025) during their meeting in Mantralaya. Manikrao Kokate denies playing rummy during Assembly, calls controversy politically motivated "I met Ajitdada on my own and clarified my stand. I had apologised to farmers recently during media interaction if their sentiments were hurt due to the card game controversy," he said. Responding to a specific query, Mr. Kokate said neither he offered to quit as a Minister nor was he asked to step down by any leader of the NCP, government or the Chief Minister. He recently ignited another row by terming the State Government a "beggar" while clarifying his previous controversial remarks directed at farmers on the ₹1 crop insurance. Maharashtra Agriculture Minister in row over video showing him playing rummy in Assembly "The Chief Minister had expressed his displeasure over the beggar's statement. I called him up and clarified my stand. I blame it on the lack of articulation," he added.
