Maharashtra government is planning to make Marathi a compulsory subject at the junior college level. The measures to do so are under progress as per the recommendations under the newly approved Marathi Language Policy.
It also suggests that Marathi language should be taught to young children in all schools across the state, regardless of the school's medium, and that Marathi be offered as a required subject at the university level for two credits.
“It is a welcoming move. If it becomes compulsory to learn Marathi in Maharashtra, it will become easier for them to work in the state," told Dr. Neha Jagtiyani, Principle of R.D, National College told Mumbai Live.
Favouring the government's decision, faculty at National College, Maninder Walia said, “It's not just about learning a different language but also about learning about a different culture. Its a very good decision to push Marathi in junior college, as students will be able to learn it with ease, besides it will help them to groom before they are out of college.”
The strategy, which will be in effect for the next 25 years, offers numerous proposals under a number of headings where Marathi can be used more extensively to advance the language, including law, industry, governance, and education.
The strategy suggests that Bal Bharati, the state textbook bureau, develop textbooks on Marathi subjects at varying levels of difficulty so that students in different non-Marathi-medium schools can easily access them.
On being asked if this will affect their academics or not, Dr. Jagtiyani said, “It wont be a burden at this level of college. Moreover, they will learn about its literature and poetry, which will be helpful to them in many ways.” Meanwhile, Maninder Walia said, “When it comes to a new subject being added, I feel the pressure only increases when you look at it more as a task than as some learning that is going to help you in your future.”
In addition to requiring two-credit courses at the higher education level, the strategy suggests allocating a sizeable sum for Marathi research.
The proposal also suggests maintaining the historic Marathi script known as Modi and bolstering libraries.
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