Key Highlights
- From the 2025‑26 academic session, Hindi will become a compulsory third language for pupils in Classes 1‑5 attending English‑medium or Marathi‑medium schools in Maharashtra.
- The move implements the three‑language principle advocated by the National Education Policy 2020, expanding the earlier two‑language arrangement.
- Implementation will roll out gradually, beginning with Class 1 and progressing upward each year.
- New textbooks, authored by NCERT and customized by Balbharati, will replace existing language materials.
- SCERT Director Rahul Rekhawar confirmed that the pre‑primary syllabus is ready and that extensive teacher‑training programmes are being organized.
Detailed Insights
The Maharashtra School Education Department has aligned its upcoming curriculum overhaul with the broader objectives of NEP 2020, which envisions a 5+3+3+4 schooling structure. By mandating Hindi as a third language for early primary learners, the state seeks to nurture multilingual competence and reinforce national cohesion. The policy applies exclusively to schools that deliver instruction in English or Marathi; other medium schools, such as Urdu or Gujarati, already follow a three‑language model.
Implementation will be phased: Class 1 will adopt the new syllabus in 2025‑26, followed by successive classes in subsequent years. Textbooks will be produced by the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) with state‑specific adaptations, particularly in Social Science and language subjects. Balbharati, Maharashtra’s textbook authority, will publish the Class 1 Hindi and language resources.
SCERT’s Director Rahul Rekhawar emphasized that the pre‑primary curriculum has been finalized and that systematic teacher‑training and inter‑departmental coordination are essential for a smooth transition.
Key Concepts
- Three‑Language Formula: A policy framework that requires students to study three languages—typically the regional language, English, and Hindi—to promote linguistic diversity and unity.
- NEP 2020: The National Education Policy introduced in 2020, recommending a 5+3+3+4 structure and a multilingual approach across Indian schools.
- Phase‑wise Implementation: A step‑by‑step rollout strategy where the new curriculum is introduced to one grade level first and then extended to higher grades in subsequent years.
- Curriculum Framework: The comprehensive design of learning objectives, content, and assessment methods that guide instruction across subjects and grades.