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State to adopt flexible language policy, allowing schools more autonomy in curriculum choices
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In a major policy shift, the Maharashtra government has decided to withdraw Hindi as the default third language in primary schools, opening the door for greater flexibility in language instruction across the state.
The decision marks a departure from the earlier mandate, which made Hindi compulsory as the third language in the primary curriculum. Under the new directive, schools will now be allowed to choose the third language based on regional preferences, student demographics, and local needs.
Education officials said the move aims to promote linguistic diversity and give more autonomy to schools in shaping their language offerings. “We want students to connect more closely with their culture and environment, while still having access to national and global languages,” an official stated.
The policy change has received mixed reactions. While regional language advocates have welcomed the move as a step toward decentralization, others argue that it could impact national language integration.
The revised framework will be implemented gradually, with guidelines issued to school boards and administrators for smooth transition. The government has assured that the change will not affect students currently studying under the old language structure.
As language continues to be a sensitive subject in India’s education system, Maharashtra’s move is likely to spark broader conversations around curriculum design, cultural representation, and educational autonomy.