Marathi faculties in Mumbai dwindle regardless of govt push for language promotion | Mumbai Information

This pattern has raised issues amongst educators and activists, particularly with Marathi Language Day approaching on February 27. Many see it as an indication of the gradual erosion of the language in Mumbai.

BMC schooling officer Rajesh Kankal attributes the decline to altering parental preferences. “Most dad and mom prioritize English-medium schooling. Those that don’t get admission there go for Marathi medium as a second alternative,” he stated. Nevertheless, he famous that general enrollment in BMC faculties, together with Marathi-medium, has elevated previously three years.

Regardless of this, some educators argue that the civic physique ought to take proactive steps to maintain Marathi-medium faculties. “Dad and mom could desire English, however does that justify shutting down Marathi faculties? The federal government should take accountability for preserving them,” stated a principal of a BMC-run Marathi faculty.

Academics additionally questioned the federal government’s method. “Quite than imposing Marathi language insurance policies in non-Marathi faculties, the federal government ought to strengthen its personal Marathi medium establishments,” one instructor stated.

The Maharashtra Obligatory Educating and Studying of Marathi Language in Faculties Act, 2020, mandates Marathi instruction in all faculties, whatever the board. Nevertheless, Sushil Shejule, coordinator of the Marathi College Administration Affiliation, criticized the dearth of enforcement. “There is no such thing as a correct monitoring. The federal government claims to advertise Marathi however is failing to guard Marathi-medium faculties, which is the actual want,” he stated.

Earlier this month, the state authorities launched a decision making Marathi obligatory in authorities and semi-government workplaces. This follows the approval of the broader Marathi Language Coverage in October 2024 and the central authorities’s recognition of Marathi as a ‘classical language’ final 12 months. Prime Minister Narendra Modi additionally inaugurated the continuing 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in Delhi on Friday.

Nevertheless, educationists and activists consider that each one that is only a political eyewash. Shejule stated, “Altering traits amongst dad and mom name for intensified efforts from the federal government to save lots of Marathi-medium faculties. There aren’t any efforts from the federal government to save lots of and help such establishments.”

Prasad Gokhale, a guardian and founding father of a social media neighborhood with over 100,000 members devoted to saving Marathi-medium faculties, disagreed with the concept that new dad and mom not need their youngsters to check in Marathi-medium faculties.

“Many dad and mom have complained that they don’t discover good Marathi medium faculties of their locality,” he stated. “The decline within the variety of Marathi-medium faculties proves this. The federal government must be answerable for guaranteeing high quality Marathi-medium faculties in all areas. However as a substitute, the civic physique is closing them down,” he added.