3 weeks ago
Marathi Abhyas Kendra Opposes 'Learn Another Indian Language' Initiative
A group called Marathi Abhyas Kendra wants the Maharashtra government to stop a new school language programme.
The programme is called 'Learn Another Indian Language' and is part of the 'Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp'.
The group believes the programme would give students, teachers, and schools too much extra work.
They say students in Classes VI to VIII already study Marathi, Hindi, and English.
The government says the programme is not compulsory and schools can choose whether to join.
Officials say it was created under the National Education Policy to help students learn many languages.
The group wants Marathi and English to be the only required languages in Maharashtra.
They also say students and parents should decide whether to learn a third or fourth language.
The group has asked the government to stop the programme within 15 days.
If the government does not agree, they say they will hold a peaceful protest.
Marathi Abhyas Kendra's Pune unit submitted a memorandum to SCERT demanding withdrawal of the 'Learn Another Indian Language' initiative.
The initiative, part of the 'Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp', involves a 28-hour language-learning programme for students.
SCERT Director Dr Hemant Vasekar said the programme is optional and designed under the National Education Policy to promote multilingualism.
The group wants Marathi and English to remain the only compulsory school languages, with other choices left to students and parents.
The organisation alleged the initiative preempts the Narendra Jadhav Committee report and threatened a democratic protest if it is not withdrawn within 15 days.
- Who
- Marathi Abhyas Kendra and the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), including Director Dr Hemant Vasekar
- What
- Opposition to the 'Learn Another Indian Language' initiative under the 'Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp'
- Where
- SCERT office in Pune, Maharashtra, India
- When
- Wednesday, when the memorandum was submitted; the group set a 15-day deadline for withdrawal
- Why
- The group says the programme adds academic burden and imposes an unnecessary language requirement, while SCERT says it promotes multilingual development under the NEP
Marathi Abhyas Kendra
SCERT / Maharashtra Government
Programme optionality
Marathi Abhyas Kendra
The group says the government directed a 28-hour language programme despite no demand for it, adding burden to students, teachers and schools.
SCERT / Maharashtra Government
SCERT says participation is optional for schools and teachers and not compulsory.
Language imposition
Marathi Abhyas Kendra
The group alleges the initiative is an attempt to implement Hindi-related recommendations before the Narendra Jadhav Committee report is made public.
SCERT / Maharashtra Government
SCERT Director Dr Vasekar said the initiative is not intended to impose Hindi through indirect means.
Compulsory languages
Marathi Abhyas Kendra
Marathi and English should be the only compulsory school languages in Maharashtra; other language choices should rest with students and parents.
SCERT / Maharashtra Government
Learning additional Indian languages, per the NEP, supports multilingual development and employment opportunities across the country.
Key facts
- Organization
- Marathi Abhyas Kendra
- Government body
- State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT)
- Initiative
- 'Learn Another Indian Language' under 'Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp'
- Programme length
- 28-hour language-learning programme
- Target students
- Students in Classes VI to VIII
- Languages already studied
- Marathi, Hindi, English
- SCERT position
- Optional; aimed at multilingual development per the National Education Policy
- Demand
- Withdrawal of initiative within 15 days, or a democratic protest
Quotes
Dr Hemant Vasekar
Director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training
“"The initiative was not intended to impose Hindi through indirect means. It has been designed in accordance with the National Education Policy to promote multilingualism among students, and participation is optional for schools and teachers."”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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