English No Longer Mandatory in XI and XII Class: Maharashtra Schools Offer New Language Choices

Beginning with the new academic year, students will no longer be required to take English language in grades XI and XII. Instead, they can choose two languages, one of which must be Indian and the other from a variety of other Indian and foreign languages, if they want to study another language in these courses.

The State Curriculum Framework (SCF), released by the State Council of Education Research and Training (SCERT), allowed for the relaxation.

The subject has been mandatory from Standards I to XII.

The SCERT released a draft for school education in Maharashtra on Wednesday, inviting feedback from all stakeholders.

According to Kamaladevi Awate, in-charge of SCF at SCERT, this state curriculum framework places a high value on India’s and Maharashtra’s diverse languages.

“Students should study two Indian languages and one foreign language until the age of fifteen. Up to grade XII, all students are encouraged to receive education in Marathi. In schools where a specific medium of instruction is used, that language will be the first and most familiar to the student,” she explained.

According to the SCF, students should use experiential learning and teaching methods to improve their communication, discussion, and writing skills in languages. This should include all literary genres of prose and poetry (ancient and modern). According to the framework, reading, speaking, conversation, and writing should provide opportunities for lifelong enrichment.

Awate added that the national curriculum framework aims for every student to learn three languages. Multilingualism improves communication, cultural richness, and the development of diverse cognitive abilities, she claims.

“Students will learn three languages during their schooling years. Sanskrit will also be available among these three languages, allowing students to connect with Indian traditions,” she explained.

An education expert, who has worked with state govt’s academic department, said, “The NE and the State Curriculum Framework do not differentiate between language and its dialects. Dialects have extensive oral traditions, but they lack written resources. “Developing written resources in dialects is complex and difficult.”