PUNE: The education department has introduced a three-language policy for state govt schools with Hindi as a compulsory third language for Stds I to V students who also have Marathi and English.
The policy of three compulsory languages from standards VI to X remains unchanged, according to a govt notification issued on Wednesday by the education department for the implementation of the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2024.
The notification said that at present, Marathi and English medium schools have two languages from Stds I to IV. In schools under other mediums, according to the three-language formula, Marathi and English are mandatory along with the medium language. According to SCF 2024, Hindi will be mandatory as a third language in Marathi and English medium schools for Stds I to V.
In other medium schools, three languages - the medium language, Marathi, and English, will be studied from Stds I to V. The language policy for Stds VI to X remains the same.
The structure of school education will also change from the 2025-26 academic year, adopting a 5+3+3+4 pattern for foundational early childhood care and education, school education, teacher education, and adult education.
This will include the foundational level for kindergarten I to standard II, the preparatory level for standards III to V, middle level for standards VI to VIII, and secondary level for standards IX to XII. Henceforth, primary, secondary, and higher secondary levels will be known as foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary levels.
The new curriculum for govt schools with Marathi, English and Hindi will start with Std I in 2025-26 academic year with integrated NCERT and state board syllabus.
The timetable and evaluation methods will be prepared by State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) which will be followed by all schools in Maharashtra.
Deputy secretary of the state education department Tushar Mahajan said in the notification, "This New Education Policy restructured the previous 10+2+3 system to a 5+3+3+4 format, encompassing education from the foundational level to the undergraduate level. The implementation of this policy is being carried out in phases across the states. It is built on five fundamental pillars: access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability, and is aligned with the sustainable development goals to be achieved by 2030. Accordingly, we will start implementing the provisions in Maharashtra in phases."
A state-level steering committee was established under the chairmanship of the minister of school education to ensure quality and effective implementation in the state, as per the GR dated May 24, 2023.
Vice-president of Pune Teachers' Association Nitin Memane, said students using NCERT textbooks have a high success rate in exams like NEET, JEE, IIT and in competitive exams conducted by UPSC, Railways, Banks, and other commissions.
He said, "Parents of children studying in rural areas also desired this change. This decision will provide better quality education to children from rural backgrounds in govt schools."