Pune: Marathi Made Mandatory for All Schools Across All Boards in Maharashtra from 2025-26 Academic Year
Mumbai, 8th January 2025: All schools in Maharashtra, including CBSE, ICSE, IB, and State Board institutions, must make Marathi a compulsory subject starting from the 2025-26 academic year. School Education Minister Dada Bhuse confirmed the strict enforcement of the directive while emphasizing that school staff across the state must have proficiency in “basic working Marathi.”
The Maharashtra government had issued a directive in September 2024, making Marathi a core subject for all schools. This policy ends the pandemic-related concessions that previously allowed non-state board schools to assess Marathi using grades instead of numerical marks.
Language Proficiency Requirements for School Staff
Minister Bhuse reiterated the importance of preserving the state’s linguistic heritage by ensuring Marathi is taught across all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction. He further highlighted the requirement for school staff to possess basic working knowledge of Marathi and suggested that a language proficiency test might be introduced for faculty. Additionally, schools will need to hire qualified Marathi language teachers to comply with the regulation.
Legislation and Previous Relaxations
The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Act, enacted in 2020, required all schools, irrespective of their board affiliation, to include Marathi as a compulsory subject. However, during the pandemic, the government had allowed non-state board schools to assess Marathi with grades instead of marks for Classes 8 to 10, providing temporary relief for students adjusting to the new curriculum requirements.
Minister Bhuse clarified that the concession granted in April 2023 was a one-time measure and would not extend beyond the current academic year. The concession ends as students of that batch progress to Class 11. For others, Marathi will be evaluated with marks like other core subjects.
Educationists Welcome the Move
Educationists have largely welcomed the government’s decision, stating that it enhances Marathi’s status within the curriculum and fosters greater engagement with the language. However, they have also urged schools to prepare adequately by updating curricula, hiring trained faculty, and ensuring sufficient teaching resources.
“The shift to a marks-based system places Marathi on the same footing as other subjects and encourages students to develop stronger proficiency,” said a senior educationist. “This change is a significant step toward preserving Maharashtra’s linguistic heritage.”
Government to Ensure Smooth Implementation
Minister Bhuse assured that the government would closely monitor the implementation process to address any challenges faced by schools. He emphasized that this initiative is not merely about education but also aims to instill cultural pride and ensure future generations appreciate the richness of the Marathi language.