Maharashtra’s New Education Policy

Current Affairs National

Posted by newadmin on 2025-04-21 08:53:43 |

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The Maharashtra government has recently made it mandatory for schools to teach Hindi as a third language, in alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This policy will impact both Marathi and English medium schools, specifically targeting students from classes 1 to 5. The primary goal behind this move is to strengthen students' language abilities and encourage greater inclusivity in education.

To implement this change, the Maharashtra school education department released a Government Resolution on April 16, 2025. This resolution outlines a gradual rollout of the NEP 2020, introducing a restructured school education model referred to as the 5+3+3+4 system. This model divides school education into foundational, preparatory, middle, and secondary stages to better cater to students’ learning needs at each level.

Previously, students in classes 1 to 4 were only required to learn Marathi and English. However, with the new directive, Hindi will also become a compulsory subject starting from Grade 1. This means that by the time students complete primary school, they will have been taught three languages, supporting multilingual proficiency from an early age.

While the new syllabus will follow the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) guidelines, it will also integrate Maharashtra’s local context. Subjects such as History, Geography, and Languages will reflect the state’s cultural and regional identity, providing students with a more contextual and relatable learning experience.

This educational transformation is grounded in five key values—namely inclusiveness, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability. These core principles aim to build a fairer education system where every child, regardless of their background, has access to quality learning opportunities. The approach is also designed to help meet the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted for achievement by 2030.

The state's decision to emphasize multilingual education also ties into broader national conversations about language policies. The NEP encourages the development of a commonly understood language across India while still honoring the significance of regional languages. Maharashtra’s move to incorporate Hindi as a third language is a step toward achieving a balanced linguistic landscape that values both national unity and local diversity.

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