Maharashtra makes Marathi compulsory

Agencies

Mumbai: After studying education patterns in other states, Maharashtra government has decided to introduce Marathi as a compulsory subject in all non-Marathi medium schools from standard one to four in the state from the coming academic year.

At present, Marathi is compulsory in all state-run English medium schools.

Sanjay Kumar, Secretary (Sports, Education and Youth Affairs) said, "All other states have made their local language compulsory in their schools. Maharashtra is the only state which has not insisted on Marathi as a compulsory subject in all the schools. Students studying in Maharashtra should know Marathi."

Kumar informed that the decision to make Marathi compulsory in non-Marathi schools was taken after the department studied education patterns in other states. He also said that the proposal had been forwarded to State Education Minister Patangrao Kadam soon. Â

Kumar ruled out any political pressure for imposing this rule. In November last year, former chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh had said Marathi would be made compulsory in all Urdu medium schools 'to ensure more jobs to minorities in government departments' and also because 'knowledge of Marathi is essential in the state.'

Khurshid Bari, vice principal, Bandra Urdu School said, "If a student is staying in Maharashtra, it is important for him to know Marathi because he should be able to converse in and understand the language. It is our state language and therefore it will be beneficial to make Marathi compulsory."