Marathi compulsory in Maharashtra schools as state strengthens language policy
Government to monitor implementation as it expands Marathi content and Shivaji Maharaj lessons in textbooks
The Maharashtra government has mandated teaching Marathi compulsory from Class 1 to 10 in all schools across the state. The announcement was made by Education Minister Dada Bhuse during the ongoing legislative session on Monday (June 29), with a warning of strict action against institutions that fail to follow the directive.
Bhuse said the rule applies to all affiliated schools in Maharashtra and reiterated that the government is committed to promoting the Marathi language and preserving the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
Non-compliance concerns
The issue was raised during the question hour in the Assembly by BJP MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, who pointed out that several schools were not effectively implementing Marathi teaching despite existing rules. He also raised concerns that the penalties for violations were inadequate.
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Responding to the concerns, Bhuse said the government would launch a statewide inspection campaign to ensure compliance. Schools will be required to appoint qualified Marathi teachers, and regular checks will be conducted to monitor implementation.
"If a school does not implement the provisions, it will first be asked to rectify the violation. If it still fails to teach Marathi, a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh can be imposed. Continued non-compliance can also lead to cancellation of the school's recognition under the government decision issued on April 17, 2026," Bhuse said.
Expanding Shivaji’s legacy
The minister also highlighted the expansion of content related to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in school textbooks. He said lessons on the Maratha ruler, which earlier occupied only a limited space in textbooks of some boards, have now been expanded to 22 pages with approval from the Central government.
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Bhuse said the move aims to give students a deeper understanding of Shivaji Maharaj’s life, contributions and historical significance. He added that schools must strictly follow the prescribed regulations and that negligence would not be tolerated.
CBSE’s announcement
The announcement comes a day after the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced plans for the phased implementation of the three-language formula under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Under the CBSE plan, schools will gradually introduce the requirement of teaching at least two Indian languages. However, the current Class 10 batch will not be affected by the changes, and students currently in Classes 7, 8 and 9 will not be required to appear for a board examination in a third language when they reach Class 10.
The developments reflect a wider push by both central and state governments to strengthen the role of Indian languages in school education while allowing states to promote their own linguistic and cultural identities.