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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Educationists question revisions in 3-language policy: How can schools adjust to frequent changes?
The state government's changing stance on the third language policy has led to a chaotic beginning to the academic year, according to teachers in Maharashtra. The government's announcement of the formation of a new committee for fresh recommendations on the issue has left many of them baffled, as unit tests are only a month away. Teachers have urged the government to wait until the next academic year before implementing any new decisions. After multiple revisions, the Maharashtra government on Sunday halted the three-language policy by revoking two contentious Government Resolutions (GRs) issued in this regard. As Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis made the announcement, he also informed about the formation of a new committee headed by Dr Narendra Jadhav to further analyse the policy of introducing a third language in Classes 1 to 5 of Marathi and English medium schools under the Maharashtra State Board. Questioning the government's intentions, Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals Association, said, 'The state is simply playing with the future of lakhs of young children. From the imposition of Hindi as the third language to making it optional and changing its learning goals, the government has altered its stance multiple times on the third language—so much so that it also included readjusting the timetable structure for schools.' 'It is not easy to fix a timetable for any school, which is generally finalised well before schools reopen after the summer break. But in June, a new structure was imposed to accommodate the third language, and now there is a pause on its implementation. How are schools expected to adjust to these frequent changes,' he asked. Ganpule highlighted how some schools might have had to rejig their timetable to match the new structure issued by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), which now requires another revision. 'When will they focus on academics?' he questioned, pointing out that unit tests are approaching in August. The state's school education department initially introduced the third language in Class 1 and made it mandatory to teach Hindi. Following backlash, a revised order stated that students could opt for any other language in place of Hindi, but a teacher would be provided only if there were at least 20 students in a class requesting the alternative—thereby making Hindi the default third language. While opposition continued, School Education Minister Dada Bhuse later announced that in Classes 1 and 2, the third language would focus only on spoken skills, and the reading/writing component would be introduced in Class 3. Finally, the Chief Minister halted the entire process on Sunday by revoking the two GRs. 'Although the Chief Minister has announced the cancellation of the 'Three Languages from Grade 1' directive, considering past experiences, it is difficult to place trust in this,' said Dr. Madhav Suryavanshi, Chief Coordinator, Education Development Forum, Yashwantrao Chavan Center. He added, 'Previously, despite public assurances by the Chief Minister and the Education Minister that three languages would not be made mandatory from Grade 1, the government ultimately implemented the decision to mandate three languages from Grade 1 from this academic year. Unless an official order is issued cancelling the 'Three Languages from Grade 1' decision, this government's stance cannot be trusted.' Questioning the urgency, senior educationist Vasant Kalpande urged the state government to wait until the next academic year. 'This academic year has already started. Instead of disturbing it, it will be better if the government takes time to make a final decision. A new committee is set to study the three-language policy. They should be given time for a thorough study, and their recommendations should be made public for suggestions and objections before a final decision is taken.' Kalpande further emphasised that when educational decisions are made without taking into confidence all those concerned with the decision, then those become issues of identity. 'When educational issues take on the form of linguistic, caste-based, religious, or cultural identity matters, political interference becomes inevitable. This is exactly what happened in the case of this arbitrarily made decision. It can be avoided if adequate time is spent to follow the procedure.'
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- General
- New Indian Express
A dozen special textbooks await hearing impaired students in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: 'Pada pada pada pada paravakal paari...' (The birds flew with a fluttering sound). This is how the very first chapter of the revised Class I Malayalam textbook of state syllabus schools begins. But how will a teacher convey it effectively to a student who is hearing impaired? These difficulties have necessitated the introduction of special textbooks and workbooks for hearing impaired students up to Class IV. A dozen such books, designed by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) after consultation with experts and numerous workshops with teachers, are now ready for distribution. There are nearly 800 hearing impaired students in Classes I to IV in 32 special schools across the state. However, designing special textbooks for them is a tough task due to the varying degrees of hearing impairment. While some have minor hearing disabilities there are others who cannot hear at all, posing a challenge in bringing out textbooks that cater to all of them. 'While the normal Class I textbooks introduce students to various senses, a hearing impaired student has limitations in understanding them. Also, their vocabulary is very limited. We have focused more on pictorial and visual elements in the special textbooks that are also supported by workbooks,' said Anil Kumar A K, Research Officer (Special Education), SCERT. As opposed to normal textbooks that require four to five workshops, special textbooks have been brought out after holding up to 15 workshops with subject experts and teachers. Work on the special textbooks for Class IV will begin this year in tune with the revised textbooks for general schools.
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
SCERT releases revised timetable structure for Class 1 to accomodate third language
The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on Thursday released a revised timetable structure for Class 1 to accommodate a third language. This came a day after the Maharashtra government issued a revised Government Resolution (GR) stating that Hindi will be taught as the third language in Marathi and English medium schools across the state for Classes 1 to 5. With the new timetable, the stipulated minutes to be spent on each subject have been reduced, creating a major gap from what is recommended under National Curriculum Framework (NCF). The document released by SCERT, adds a third language to Classes 1 and 2 formally, as until now, the only official document in this regard, which is State Curriculum Framework-Foundation Stage (FS), recommended only two languages for these classes, as per NCF. 'The changes will be applicable to Class 1 from academic year 2025-26. Whereas for Class 2, these changes will be applied after the introduction of the new syllabus and curriculum as per the SCF,' states the document released by SCERT Director Rahul Rekhawar. Even as the NCF-recommended timetable structure suggests 50 to 60 minutes spent on each subject, the state's revised timetable structure reduced it to 35 minutes. 'This was bound to happen as the NCF-FS includes only seven subjects, whereas the state has added one more subject by introducing a third language from Class 1. To accommodate the additional subject, time spent on all other subjects has been reduced,' said Mahendra Ganpule, former head of the Maharashtra School Principals Association. The note released by SCERT also provides a sample timetable. It states 'Schools can design their own timetable, based on their timings. But they will have to stick to the stipulated time mandate per subject.' According to schools, this announcement has come very late as schools have already started and structuring the timetable is finalised way before that. 'Now that we are almost a week into the new academic year, a new timetable guideline has been issued. Schools have already started with the timetable structure issued in the past in the SCF-FS, which does not include a third language for Class 1,' said a senior teacher. Schools have also complained that the government has included a new subject into the timetable structure for Class 1, without clarity on teachers to teach the third language, alternatives to Hindi, and curriculum guidelines.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Padma Shri farmer Seeding Sathya finds place in Kerala's Class 4 textbook
Mangaluru: A lesson on Padma Shri awardee Sathyanarayana Beleri, popularly known as Seeding Sathya, has been included in Class 4 Kannada textbook in Kerala. Beleri is a rice farmer from Nettanige village in Kasaragod, Kerala, bordering Dakshina Kannada. The lesson titled 'Battada Taligala Saradara' is based on an article written by retired Prof Narendra Rai Derla, published in a Kannada magazine before Beleri was honoured with the Padma Shri. Interestingly, this marks the 19th lesson authored by Prof Derla to be featured in school textbooks across Karnataka and Kerala. Prof Derla said Beleri never preserved paddy varieties for recognition. "He owns limited pieces of land and the soil is not fit for paddy cultivation. Despite these challenges, Beleri went to extraordinary lengths to conserve indigenous rice varieties, even resorting to growing them in grow bags. In a rare reversal of roles, Beleri supplied nearly 200 seed varieties to agricultural universities across India, institutions that typically serve as seed providers to farmers," he said. Ramanna Delampady, Kannada language textbook committee member, said the textbooks are developed based on the Kerala Curriculum Framework 2024, under the State Council for Educational Research and Training. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo A curriculum committee oversees the process, adopting a thematic approach to enhance learning. For language subjects, 14 themes have been identified, one of which is agriculture. As part of this theme, the story of Beleri has been introduced. For Class 4, the chosen theme is 'Varieties of Paddy', which also includes profiles of successful individuals in agriculture and an introduction to farming equipment. The aim is to celebrate a local figure, making the content more relatable for students, he said. Beleri said he was happy that his life has become a source of inspiration for children. "Receiving the Padma Shri brought with it a deep sense of responsibility. When a farmer is recognised with such an honour, it naturally sparks curiosity among people that has led to surge in demand," he said. Beleri has over 650 paddy varieties. "The real challenge lies not just in collecting them, but in maintaining them. I developed my own methods of cultivation through trial and error, often learning from setbacks," he said. Amit Shah wishes Beleri on birthday Beleri was in Bengaluru on June 15 when he received a surprise birthday call from Union home minister Amit Shah. "I was shocked when told it was the home minister. I said I do not understand English or Hindi, but he still wished me. That is when I realised it was my birthday," he said.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Weeks before opening day, uncertainty over third language in Marathi-and English-medium schools in Maharashtra
The 2025-26 academic year is set to begin on June 16 in Maharashtra, but there is still no clarity on the implementation of the three-language formula in Class 1 of Marathi- and English-medium schools under the state board. Originally, a Government Resolution (GR) in April had declared the introduction of three languages in Marathi- and English-medium schools under the Maharashtra State Board and mandated Hindi as the third language. However, after a backlash, the state government rolled back the decision, making Hindi optional. While the state reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the three-language policy, it also promised a separate GR detailing alternative options to Hindi and curriculum guidelines, which is still awaited. While State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) Director Rahul Rekhawar was unavailable for comment, an official from the state's school education department said that the three-language policy would still be implemented. 'SCERT is currently working on the curriculum for languages other than Hindi to be introduced as third language options,' the official said. However, until the detailed guidelines are issued, schools are uncertain about how to proceed, with just weeks left before the new academic year begins. 'Schools cannot decide the third language on their own. These guidelines have to come from the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) along with textbooks. These were ready for Hindi when the state declared it the mandatory third language in Marathi- and English medium-schools of the Maharashtra state board. But with Hindi now optional, we have no clarity on what other languages can be offered or how to teach them,' a senior language teacher from a Mumbai school explained. Class 1 will see the introduction of a new curriculum framework aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. One of the major changes announced was the addition of a third language in Class 1 of Marathi- and English-medium schools under the state board, where only two languages were taught until now. But in the absence of clear guidelines, the feasibility of launching the three-language system this year is uncertain. A principal from a school in Thane noted, 'Teacher training for the new curriculum has already begun, but it does not cover the third language component. This only adds to the confusion.' The former head of the Maharashtra School Principals' Association, Mahendra Ganpule, added, 'The original State Curriculum Framework for the foundational stage, which covers Class 1, did not include three languages. Thus, the subject plan and timetable guidelines do not include the third language for Class 1. The introduction of a third language was announced later via a GR with a Hindi mandate. But now that Hindi is made optional, we still don't know what the alternative language options will be.'
