BJP-led Maharashtra government announced that Hindi will be taught as a third language from Class 1 in English and Marathi medium schools, as part of the National Education Policy 2020.
Previously, Hindi was introduced as a third language from Class 6, but some schools already taught it from Class 1 under the three-language formula.
The announcement has faced political opposition, with concerns about Hindi imposition and undermining Marathi.
There are practical challenges, like teacher recruitment and training, as well as salary costs for the new mandate.
Some people believe the move is aimed at appeasing the large number of Hindi speakers in Maharashtra.
Maharashtra has a strong regional identity, historically prioritizing Marathi pride and local culture, but it hasn’t shown hostility towards Hindi like Tamil Nadu has.
The resentment against the new policy may stem more from the BJP’s centralizing agenda rather than genuine opposition to Hindi.
The Constitution allows for diversity and previous governments balanced regional and national interests, unlike the current BJP push for uniformity.
Fadnavis should focus on building consensus to meet the evolving demands in education, especially in the context of new developments in AI and neuroscience.
COMMENTS