The Maharashtra government on Thursday okayed the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and announced a detailed plan for the academic year 2025-26.
The development came amid Tamil Nadu's strong objection to the forceful "imposition" of the Hindi language as the language policy makes introduction of Hindi as a compulsory third language for students.
It has been reported that to support this transition, the BJP-led state government has planned to train 80 percent of teachers in new pedagogical methods..
NEP 2020 In Maharashtra: The Curriculum
As per reports, the new curriculum under NEP 2020 will be implemented in a following a phased timeline, starting with Class 1 in 2025-26 academic year and expanding to all grades by 2028-29.
Following the new policy, Maharashtra will implement the 5+3+3+4 educational structure which divides school education into four stages: a foundational stage, a preparatory stage, a middle stage, and a secondary stage.
According to a report by India Today, Deputy Secretary of the state education department Tushar Mahajan said in a notice, “This new policy restructures the previous 10+2+3 system into a 5+3+3+4 format, covering education from foundational to higher levels. The policy is being gradually implemented in the state. It is built on five pillars: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability, and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by 2030.”
Tamil Nadu Against NEP 2020
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin for months have condemned the central government over the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 concerning the three-language row.
Under NEP 2020, all states must teach three languages in school - with Hindi being the third language. According to Stalin, the forced adoption of NEP 2020 and the Hindi language has "swallowed" 25 north Indian languages.
The Tamil Nadu CM further stated that the notion of Hindu being a "unifying language" is a deliberate attempt to erase linguistic diversity.
"More than 25 north Indian native languages have been destroyed by the invasion of hegemonic Hindi-Sanskrit languages. The century-old Dravidian movement safeguarded Tamil and its culture because of the awareness it created and the various agitations," the ruling DMK chief said, adding that languages such Bhojpuri, Maithili, Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli, Garhwali, Kumaoni, Magahi, Marwari, Malvi, Chhattisgarhi, Santhali, Angika, Ho, Kharia, Khortha, Kurmali, Kurukh, and Mundari, are "gasping for survival."
Assamese Language Mandatory For Official Work In Assam
On April 15, Assam government made Assamese language mandatory for all official work in Assam.
On April 4, the decision was taken at the cabinet meeting of the council of ministers, presided by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on April 4.
“Beginning this Bohag (first month of Assamese calendar), Assamese will be the compulsory official language for all government notifications, order, Acts, etc across Assam. In the districts of Barak Valley and BTR (Bodoland Territorial Region), Bengali and Bodo languages will be used respectively,” chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma posted on X.
