Panel: Hear us before deciding on 3 languages

Mumbai: Laxmikant Deshmukh, chairman of the state's language advisory committee, has written to the CM seeking a meeting to present the panel's views before govt takes a decision on the proposed three-language policy. The three-language policy panel, headed by economist Narendra Jadhav, submitted its report to the CM on Feb 18 after months of deliberations. Deshmukh said making a third language must from Class 1 will place an additional burden on children at the foundational stage. He said established principles of education and child psychology emphasise strengthening the mother tongue in early years. He said improving Marathi and English instruction should be the priority instead. —Mahiyar Patel