Strict action against schools failing to teach Marathi language: Minister Bhuse
Mumbai, June 29
Maharashtra Minister for School Education, Dadaji Bhuse, on Monday announced in the state Assembly that stringent penalties would be slapped on schools failing to teach Marathi.
Minister Bhuse said that teaching Marathi from Class 1 to Class 10 is strictly mandatory across all school Boards and mediums of instruction in Maharashtra.
Schools failing to comply with the mandate will face a fine of up to Rs 1,00,000 in the first instance. Continued non-compliance following the fine will lead to the cancellation of the school's official recognition and affiliation.
The Minister said that schools must mandatorily appoint teachers with the required educational qualifications specifically for teaching Marathi.
Government officials will actively verify Marathi teaching standards and check Marathi exam records for every classroom during routine school visits.
He further stated that the state curriculum will be updated to feature Maharashtra's cultural and historical heritage more prominently. This includes detailed sections on the educational and social contributions of Mahatma Jyotirao Phule and Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule, alongside other iconic figures of Maharashtra.
Minister Bhuse noted that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's history has been expanded within national-level textbooks to reach students across India in a more comprehensive format. Reaffirming Marathi as a matter of state pride, the government has directed all schools to ensuring that the state song, "Jai, Jai Maharashtra Maza", is sung respectfully following the National Anthem.
The announcement came during a discussion initiated by MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, with additional participation from MLAs Varun Sardesai, Sunil Prabhu, Dr Nitin Raut, and Ratnakar Gutte.
Meanwhile, Fisheries Minister Nitesh Rane announced that the state government has officially extended the seasonal monsoon fishing ban until August 15. Previously, mechanized and motorized fishing boats were banned from operating in state waters for 61 days, from June 1 to July 31, to account for the onset of the southwest monsoon.
However, various fishermen's cooperative societies approached the government requesting an extension to prevent the catching of juvenile fish at the start of the season. Following formal reports and recommendations from district-level committees and the State Advisory and Monitoring Committee, the government approved the extension.
Minister said that the objective of the extended ban is to provide a longer breeding window for fish populations to replenish, ensuring sustainable fishing for future generations. Also, it is for avoiding loss of life and property caused by severe weather, unexpected heavy rainfall, and cyclones typical of the early monsoon season.
Minister Rane added a strict warning that the Fisheries Department will take severe action against unauthorized fishing vessels from neighboring states entering Maharashtra's coastal waters during this prohibited period.
— IANS
Reader Comments
I appreciate the emphasis on state pride, but I worry about schools that are already struggling with resources. Small private schools in rural areas may not have qualified Marathi teachers readily available. The government should also provide support, like teacher training programs, not just penalties. Let's be practical about this.
Good move for Marathi, but I'm more interested in the fishing ban extension! My family are fishermen from Ratnagiri, and the monsoon ban is crucial for sustainable fishing. The extension to August 15 makes sense because the young fish need more time to grow. Fishermen suffer during this period, but it's better for the long term. Kudos to the government for listening to the cooperative societies.
I'm all for teaching Marathi, but what about other subjects? My daughter's school in Thane already has a packed timetable with English, Hindi, Marathi, Science, Maths... Adding more focus on Marathi might leave less time for core subjects. Plus, the new history content on Phule and Shivaji Maharaj is great, but I hope it's taught objectively, not just as propaganda. Balance is key!
As an expat working in Mumbai, I find this fascinating. In the US, we don't have this level of state language enforcement. Marathi is clearly a point of pride here, and I respect that. The fishing ban extension also makes ecological sense—good for the fish population long-term. It's interesting how these announcements were bundled together in the assembly!
The state song after National Anthem? That's a lovely touch!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.