Maharashtra Rolls Out NEP 2020; Hindi Made Mandatory As Third Language For Classes 1–5

NEP 2020: Under the new curriculum implementation aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, studying Hindi as a third language will now be mandatory for students in Classes 1 to 5 in both Marathi and English-medium schools across Maharashtra. This marks a shift from the previous practice, where students were taught only two languages.

In schools with other mediums of instruction, students will study three languages— the medium language, Marathi, and English—from Classes 1 to 5.

On Wednesday, the state school education department announced a phased plan for implementing the new curriculum framework, based on the NEP 2020 guidelines for school education. The Government Resolution (GR) issued in this regard clarifies that schools in Maharashtra following other mediums already implement the three-language formula, with English and Marathi as compulsory languages, along with the medium of instruction. In contrast, only two languages were taught in English and Marathi medium schools.

The GR also marks the beginning of the 5+3+3+4 structure for school education, as recommended under NEP 2020. This structure divides schooling into four stages: the first five years (3 years of pre-primary and Classes 1 and 2) will be the foundational stage, Classes 3 to 5 will be the preparatory stage, Classes 6 to 8 will constitute the middle school stage, and the final four years (Classes 9 to 12) will be secondary education.

The implementation of the new school structure, along with the three-language formula, will begin in the 2025-26 academic year.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) and Balbharati will handle the development of the revised curriculum, textbooks, supplementary materials, and a ‘Setu Syllabus’ to facilitate a smooth transition. NCERT textbooks will be modified as required.

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