Fines Up to 1 Lakh to be Imposed; State Icons and Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s History to be Enhanced in Curriculum
MUMBAI, JUNE 29: The School Education Minister, Dadaji Bhuse, announced in the Legislative Assembly today that teaching the Marathi language is strictly mandatory for classes 1 to 10 across all school mediums in the state. Educational institutions failing to comply with this regulation will initially face a penalty of up to 1 lakh. Continued non-compliance following the fine will result in the immediate revocation of the school’s official recognition.
Minister Bhuse emphasized that following the enactment of the compulsory Marathi language law, it is illegal for any school to omit the subject from its curriculum. Furthermore, schools are legally bound to appoint teachers who possess the requisite academic qualifications to teach Marathi. To ensure strict enforcement, the education department will systematically verify Marathi language instruction and audit exam papers for every grade during routine school inspections and visits.
In a bid to enrich the state curriculum, the government has decided to allocate more space to Maharashtra’s cultural and historical heritage. The pioneering educational and social contributions of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule will be integrated more effectively into the new syllabus. Minister Bhuse added that the new curriculum will comprehensively feature the history and contributions of iconic state figures to ensure students fully comprehend their philosophies and national impact.
On a national level, the Minister shared that the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj has been incorporated into the national curriculum in a much more extensive format, allowing students across the country to study his legacy in greater detail.
Reiterating that the Marathi language is central to the state’s identity, the School Education Minister noted that the government has issued explicit directives to all schools ensuring that the state song, ‘Jai Jai Maharashtra Maza’, is respectfully sung after the national anthem.
The policy discussion was initiated through a question raised by Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) Atul Bhatkhalkar, with legislators Varun Sardesai, Sunil Prabhu, Dr. Nitin Raut, and Ratnakar Gutte participating in the subsequent debate.
