Title: Only Marathi & English be taught in schools: Raj Thackeray to govt
In a recent move that has sent shockwaves throughout the education sector in Maharashtra, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray has written to the state government demanding a written order that only two languages – Marathi and English – be taught from Class 1 onwards in state board schools. The government had declared this earlier but didn’t issue a written order, he said, warning that the MNS will launch agitation if the government rolls back the decision.
The demand has sparked heated debates among educationists, linguists, and parents, with some supporting the move and others opposing it. While some argue that it is essential to preserve the cultural heritage of the state by promoting the local language, others claim that it is an attempt to suppress the diversity of languages in the state.
According to the MNS chief, the government had announced in the past that only Marathi and English would be taught in state board schools from Class 1 to Class 12. However, no written order was issued, and the decision remained on paper. Raj Thackeray has now written to the government demanding that a written order be issued to this effect, warning that if the government fails to do so, the MNS will launch a statewide agitation.
The move has been welcomed by many who believe that the dominance of English in education has led to the decline of Marathi language and culture. They argue that by promoting Marathi, the government can help preserve the state’s unique identity and promote cultural heritage. Moreover, they claim that teaching Marathi in schools can help students develop a deeper understanding of their roots and cultural traditions.
However, others have opposed the move, arguing that it is an attempt to suppress the diversity of languages in the state. They claim that by promoting only two languages, the government is ignoring the linguistic diversity of the state and suppressing the rights of students who belong to linguistic minorities.
Moreover, some experts have argued that the move could lead to a backlash against Marathi-speaking students who may not be proficient in English. They claim that this could lead to a situation where Marathi-speaking students are at a disadvantage in the job market and higher education.
The issue has also sparked a debate about the role of languages in education. While some argue that language is a crucial tool for communication and learning, others claim that it is also a means of cultural expression and identity. In the context of Maharashtra, the issue is particularly sensitive, given the state’s complex linguistic landscape.
The state has a significant presence of languages such as Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Marwari, and Konkani, among others. While Marathi is the official language of the state, many students from linguistic minorities may not be proficient in the language. Promoting only Marathi and English could, therefore, be seen as an attempt to marginalize these students.
The government has yet to respond to the MNS chief’s letter, but the issue is likely to be a contentious one. While the MNS has been dismissive of the concerns raised by opponents of the move, educationists and linguists are likely to continue to debate the issue.
In conclusion, the demand by Raj Thackeray to teach only Marathi and English in schools has sparked a heated debate in Maharashtra. While some argue that it is essential to preserve the cultural heritage of the state by promoting the local language, others claim that it is an attempt to suppress the diversity of languages in the state. The government has yet to respond to the MNS chief’s letter, but the issue is likely to be a contentious one.
Source: https://x.com/RajThackeray/status/1930208483518857496
