Marathi language compulsory for all schools in Maharashtra now; Maharashtra Assembly passes law

The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 was unanimously passed on Thursday.

The Shiv Sena-led Maharashtra government has made Marathi compulsory in schools affiliated with all boards with a fine of Rs 1 lakh for institutions that fail to comply with the directive. On Thursday, the Maharashtra Assembly unanimously approved a bill making Marathi a compulsory subject in all schools of the state.

According to the bill, there will be a penal provision for levying fine on schools that do not comply with the new rule. The Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in Schools Bill, 2020 was already passed in the upper house of the state on Wednesday.

While the opposition welcomed the move, it also raised objections citing lacunae that will result in failure of implementation. There are many loopholes in the provisions and the penalty is low, were some of their claims along with claims that a clause of exemption may be misused by the high and mighty, said Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.

Here are some important highlights of the law.

• This law will be applicable to all boards like CBSE, CISCE, IB, IGSCE, NIOS
• Marathi language shall be taught as a compulsory subject from classes 1-10 in all schools in the state in a phased manner starting the academic year 2020-21
• The language shall be introduced at class 1 and 6 from the academic year 2020-21 and shall be extended to further classes progressively
• The law also states that no restrictions shall be imposed on speaking Marathi in schools in the state, directly or indirectly
• Marathi teaching and assessment of students in Marathi will be a mandatory condition for granting the government’s no-objection certificate for schools
• The person responsible for the management of school affairs violating provisions of this act shall be liable to pay a penalty of up to Rs 1 Lakh