Marathi compulsory in all schools in Maharashtra

Maharashtra Government has decided to make Marathi compulsory phase-wise in all English, Urdu and other mediums of schools in the state from class one to class four, from the academic year 2009-10. The decision was taken recently, based on the recommendation of the a State Level Study Committee, an official release.

In the non-Marathi medium schools from class one to four, Marathi will be taught as the second language. The language curriculum will be decided with the consent of Working Member Group, the release said.

Listening, speech and conversation would be the focus for class one and two students, while in class three and four along with listening, speech and conversation, reading and writing will also be included. While there would be no textbooks for class one and two students, the class three and four students will have limited type independent textbooks. The handbooks and guidelines would be prepared for the class one and two children.

Marathi will be taught in two-hour session each week.

There will be no formal evaluation of the language for class one to four and also there will be no written exams for these students, the release added.