Schools across board in Maha that don’t teach Marathi face fines up to 1L

Pune: Maharashtra govt has announced strict action against schools that do not teach Marathi from Std I to X. Schools across all boards, including CBSE, CICSE and international boards, will be inspected to check whether the local language is taught, exams are conducted and qualified teachers appointed.Schools that fail to follow the rules will face a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh, and repeated violations could lead to cancellation of their recognition, the education department has notified.The school education department will launch a statewide inspection to ensure compliance. “The teaching of Marathi from Stds I to X is mandatory for every school in Maharashtra. We will conduct a special verification drive and seek reports from the education authorities after physical inspections,” an education department official said.Schools must also appoint teachers possessing the prescribed educational qualifications to teach Marathi. “The inspection will not be limited to documents. We will verify classroom teaching, examination records and the availability of qualified teachers,” the official said.The govt’s decision follows repeated concerns that some schools, particularly those affiliated with national and international boards, were not fully complying with the state’s Marathi language policy.

Educationists welcomed the move, saying the emphasis should be on effective implementation rather than punishment. “Marathi is the state’s official language and students studying in Maharashtra should have the opportunity to learn it, irrespective of the board they are enrolled in. However, govt must also ensure that there are enough qualified Marathi teachers, especially in private schools,” education expert and former school principal Sunil Magar said.Parent Ashwini Kendale said, “Many support compulsory Marathi to help children connect with the state’s culture and communicate in daily life. But schools should receive adequate support to meet the new compliance requirements from govt.”