MUMBAI: A year after Marathi was made compulsory in schools in Maharashtra, all non-state board schools have to submit their progress report on the local language.
Marathi has been a compulsory subject for state board schools. From the academic year 2020-21, it was made compulsory for Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), Council of Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE), Cambridge Board International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), International Baccalaureate (IB) and National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS).
The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act was introduced in June 2020, when non-state boards had to introduce Marathi as a subject for Class I and VI. The act made it mandatory to introduce Marathi in schools in a phased manner. In this academic year, Marathi has to be taught to students of Class I, II, VI and VII.
The state school education department on Wednesday directed non-state boards to share details of how the Marathi language is being taught in schools. Schools have to provide information about the number of students learning the language, how many Marathi textbooks have been purchased, and whether Marathi lessons are being taken online. Schools have to share details of teachers appointed to teach the language and whether they want the state to train teachers.
A legislative committee of MLAs was set up in October to ensure that Marathi is implemented in schools.
