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Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Maharashtra education minister clarifies Hindi as third language in schools not compulsory
Nashik: School education minister Dada Bhuse on Saturday addressed concerns regarding state govt's decision to designate Hindi the third language in schools. He said the decision aligned with the recommendation of the task force established by the Uddhav Thackeray-led state govt to study and implement the National Education Policy (NEP). Bhuse said, "Let me make it clear that Hindi is not made 'compulsory'. Besides, there will be no writing material for the subject in Std I and II. It will be an orally taught subject with an introduction including rhymes, understanding meaning with pictures, and such. The writing will begin from Std III only." He attributed the decision to the task force recommendations accepted by state govt on Jan 27, 2022. "It was the same meeting when another subject was also discussed, which was related to making wines available in the walk-in malls through the shelves. What we are doing is what was already discussed and decided upon," he said. Referring to the task force report, Bhuse said the recommendation involved a three-language formula for English and Marathi schools, introducing English and Hindi as the second language from Std I. This approach follows the student-centric Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) system introduced under the NEP, providing students with greater flexibility to pursue their careers and interests. When questioned about the opposition's stand on the issue, Bhuse said, "In a democracy, people have the right to agitate and have their views. No one can stop it. There are several states other than Maharashtra that are following the three-language policy, and also in our state, about 25% of schools have been following it for long." Bhuse also noted that govt had mandated more periods for Marathi than recommended in the NEP to ensure that students understand the subject more effectively.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Maharashtra eases language policy amid backlash
Mumbai: Facing strong opposition from educationists, political parties and civil society groups, the Maharashtra government has softened its stance on its controversial decision to make Hindi the default third language in state board schools from Class 1. School education minister Dada Bhuse on Thursday assured that Hindi would not be imposed. (Satish Bate/Hindustan Times) On a day when cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray both attacked the state government over the decision, school education minister Dada Bhuse on Thursday assured that Hindi would not be imposed. He added that the emphasis while teaching the third language in Classes 1-2 will be only on spoken skills, while written assessments will begin only from Class 3 onward. 'There is no compulsion to learn Hindi as a third language. Students can choose any of the 22 Indian languages,' said Bhuse, addressing a press conference at Mantralaya. 'The provision of at least 20 students [needed per class to opt for an alternate third language] is only for the administrative purpose of appointing a teacher for that subject. If fewer than 20 students want to study a language other than Hindi, the school can make arrangements through online platforms.' Bhuse's clarification comes over a week after a revised government resolution (GR) issued on June 17 reignited criticism that the Mahayuti government was attempting to indirectly enforce Hindi, especially in Marathi-medium schools. The GR stated that Hindi will 'in general' be the third language for Classes 1-5. Schools may choose an alternative Indian language as the third language, provided that at least 20 students in a class opt for it, the GR added. The decision was criticised by educationists and opposition leaders, saying it was in effect a backdoor entry of the government's order in April proposing the inclusion of Hindi as a third language from Class 1. To ease tensions, Bhuse said, 'From Class 1 to 2, third-language education will focus only on listening and speaking skills. Written components will be introduced from Classes 3 to 5.' He added that schools would have autonomy in selecting the third language, provided there is sufficient student interest. Currently, in Maharashtra's Marathi- and English-medium schools, Hindi is introduced from Class 5. The state has not printed new textbooks for Hindi or other languages beyond the existing curriculum, Bhuse confirmed. In keeping with the National Education Policy (NEP), the three-language formula, typically including a mother tongue—Marathi—and English, is already in practice in several schools. Many states are adopting this model, which aims to promote multilingualism through the inclusion of two Indian languages and one foreign language, usually English. Bhuse also highlighted scientific support for early language learning, 'Neuroscience and child psychology suggest that children between ages 2 and 8 have the greatest capacity to learn languages. Teaching third languages from Class 1 aligns with this understanding.' He further explained that under the forthcoming Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) system, students will earn points for the subjects and skills they study, including languages. 'By the time students reach Class 6, they will already have developed basic skills in a third language. This will eventually help them accumulate academic credits. In the next eight to 10 years, the benefits of this trilingual formula will be visible in Maharashtra's students,' Bhuse added. Expert consultation The backlash against the three-language formula over the past week forced the state government to reconsider its approach. Earlier this week, chief minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level meeting where it was decided that the implementation of the three-language formula will proceed only after thorough consultation with language experts, educationists, political leaders, and other stakeholders. Bhuse confirmed that the education department has begun preparing a presentation for these consultations. 'Within the next eight days, we will conduct meetings with stakeholders to discuss the plan in detail,' he said. An official from the education department said an internal survey had revealed there is growing demand for at least 15 different Indian languages among students. 'At present, we are equipped to offer study material in 10 of these languages, and we have ready course content available for different grade levels. For the remaining languages that show rising demand, we will gradually develop and introduce the curriculum as needed,' the official said. On Thursday, Bhuse also met with MNS chief Raj Thackeray, who has publicly opposed the inclusion of Hindi as a default third language. When asked whether he plans to meet Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray as well, Bhuse declined to comment. 'Through the media, I am trying to directly reach the people of Maharashtra,' he said.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Mahayukti on back-foot over introducing Hindi as third language in primary schools in Maharashtra
MUMBAI: Amid growing oppositions to imposition of Hindi as third language in primary schools, Maharashtra government has decided to take the cautious stand, and clarified that Hindi text books reading and writing will not be made as part of syllabus from class – I and II in primary schools in Maharashtra. Maharashtra education minister Dada Bhuse said that as per their government decision, students in primary schools mainly in class I and II, there will be no exam of Hindi language which will be taught as third language. He said in the first two classes, I and II, the students will be taught Hindi through pictures, stories and songs in a playful way. 'We will ensure that there would not be any burden on the students over learning any additional language such as Hindi. It will be taught in an oral way. There will be no Hindi text of Hindi for class I and II students in schools. From class III, Hindi will be taught by using the text books. The published textbooks are for the teachers,' Bhuse said.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Only spoken third language will be taught in classes 1 and 2: Dada Bhuse
Maharashtra School Education Minister Dada Bhuse has announced that students in classes 1 and 2 will be taught only to speak the third language, with reading and writing components deferred until Class 3. The move marks another course correction by the state government following strong backlash over its proposal to introduce Hindi as the default third language in Marathi and English medium schools across the state for classes 1 to 5. 'The third language in classes 1 and 2 will be taught and evaluated only for spoken skills. Written skills in the chosen third language will not be introduced until Class 3,' Dada Bhuse said. The revised GR issued on June 17 had sparked controversy by stating that Hindi would 'generally' be the third language. Although the GR allowed students to choose an alternative Indian language instead of Hindi—subject to a minimum of 20 students opting for it—many argued this condition effectively imposed Hindi by default. Following significant backlash, including political opposition, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a high-level meeting earlier this week, during which it was decided that the implementation of the three-language formula in the state would proceed only after comprehensive consultation with all stakeholders, including language experts, political leaders, and other groups concerned. Bhuse on Thursday reiterated that that there was no attempt to impose Hindi. 'Students are allowed to learn any of the 22 Indian languages as the third language. The condition of having a minimum of 20 students is only to ensure the availability of a teacher for that subject, which is a basic requirement to create a teaching post in any school. If fewer than 20 students wish to learn a language other than Hindi, the school should arrange for its teaching through online platforms,' said Bhuse. According to a senior official from the state school education department, of the 22 Indian languages, a demand for 15 to be taught as third languages in Maharashtra is expected. 'With several schools of different mediums of instruction, we are already running schools in eight of those 15 languages, which indicates that curriculum development can be completed quickly. Once the format for required teaching and learning goals is established for one language, it will be easier to replicate it for others. Moreover, for Classes 1 and 2, there will be only handbooks for teachers instead of textbooks for students. The circulation of the newly prepared handbooks can be completed by the end of July.' On Thursday, Bhuse said his department has begun preparing a presentation of the plan for stakeholders, and such consultations will be held within the next eight days.
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Business Standard
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
Decision on 3-language formula only after talks with stakeholders: Fadnavis
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said a final decision on the three-language formula will be taken only after consultations with all stakeholders, including litterateurs, language experts and political leaders. Fadnavis chaired a meeting at his official residence in south Mumbai late Monday night to deliberate on the issue. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, Minister of State Dr Pankaj Bhoyar and senior officials from the education department were present. The state government last week issued an amended order, stating Hindi will generally be taught as the third language to students in Marathi and English medium schools from Classes 1 to 5. The government had maintained that Hindi would not be compulsory, but mandated consent of at least 20 students per grade in a school for studying any Indian language other than Hindi. During the meeting chaired by CM Fadnavis on Monday, detailed discussions were held on the implications of the three-language policy under the New Education Policy (NEP). It was decided that the actual ground situation in various states will be presented for reference, and a comprehensive presentation would be made on the academic impact, especially with regard to Marathi students, a statement from the Chief Minister's Office said. "It was agreed that a structured consultation process be conducted with scholars, writers, political leaders and other stakeholders before arriving at a final decision," Fadnavis said in the statement. Following the meeting, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse is expected to initiate the next phase of consultations, the statement said. After the meeting, Bhuse told reporters that the state government will hold discussions with various stakeholders, including political leaders and litterateurs, to address concerns over the implementation of the NEP. All decisions have been taken keeping the interest of students at the forefront, he asserted. Bhuse said a review meeting was held earlier on Monday to assess previous decisions made under the NEP framework. "We will engage with all concerned, whether it is (MNS chief) Raj Thackeray or noted writers. We will place all facts before them and explain that the policy has been implemented after a thorough study, ensuring our students do not lag behind," he said. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) head Raj Thackeray last week asked what was the need to "impose" Hindi on students and appealed to schools in the state to foil the government's "hidden agenda to deliberately create a language divide". Hindi is the state language of some northern states and it is wrong to force it on Maharashtra, where Marathi is widely used, he asserted. Bhuse said while formulating the education policy, the government has always prioritised students' welfare and is open to suggestions from all quarters. "We will meet those who have raised objections and are hopeful of a positive outcome through dialogue," he said. Bhuse also said the government would share a comparative analysis of the situation in Maharashtra and other states to support its decisions. Earlier, Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar on Monday made it clear that only Marathi is mandatory in the state, and not Hindi, and said the ongoing controversy on teaching a third language in schools was "unreasonable and illogical". Talking to reporters here, Shelar insisted teaching Hindi has not been introduced as a mandatory third language from Classes 1 to 5 as being claimed in some quarters. "In fact, our government has removed the earlier compulsion of teaching Hindi from Classes 5 to 8. Instead, we have made it (Hindi) available as an optional choice alongside several other languages. Therefore, the ongoing discussion around the issue is unrealistic, unreasonable and illogical," he said. "We are staunch supporters of the Marathi language and equally committed to the interest of students," averred Shelar, who is also the Mumbai BJP president. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
