Only Marathi & English be taught in schools: Raj Thackeray to govt
In a recent development, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief, Raj Thackeray, has written a letter to the state government demanding a written order that only two languages â Marathi and English â be taught from Class 1 onwards in state board schools. This move comes after the government had earlier declared this decision, but failed to issue a written order. Thackeray has warned that the MNS will launch an agitation if the government rolls back this decision.
The issue of language instruction in schools has been a contentious one in Maharashtra for a long time. With the state having a diverse population, there have been demands from various quarters to include other languages in the school curriculum. However, Thackeray and his party have been vocal about promoting the use of Marathi, the official language of the state.
In his letter to the government, Thackeray emphasized the importance of Marathi as the state language and called for its promotion in schools. He also pointed out that the government had earlier announced that only Marathi and English would be taught from Class 1 onwards, but so far, no written order has been issued.
Thackeray’s demand is not without merit. Marathi is an integral part of Maharashtra’s culture and heritage, and promoting its use in schools can help preserve the state’s unique identity. Moreover, with the increasing globalization, the importance of English language cannot be overstated, especially in today’s digital age.
However, the move has also been met with criticism from some quarters. Many have argued that restricting the language instruction to only two languages will limit the educational opportunities of students, particularly those from diverse linguistic backgrounds. They point out that including other languages in the curriculum can help promote cultural diversity and understanding.
Another issue that has been raised is the practicality of implementing such a move. With a large number of schools already overcrowded and understaffed, the additional burden of implementing a new language curriculum can be challenging. Moreover, the lack of trained teachers in Marathi and English can pose a significant problem.
Despite these challenges, Thackeray remains committed to his demand. He has warned that the MNS will launch an agitation if the government fails to issue a written order implementing the decision. This move is likely to send shockwaves across the state, especially among the education community.
The government, on the other hand, has been tight-lipped on the issue. While there have been reports that the government is considering Thackeray’s demand, no official statement has been issued so far.
As the debate around language instruction in schools continues to rage on, it is important to remember the larger context. The promotion of Marathi as the state language is not just a matter of linguistic pride, but also a matter of cultural preservation. Moreover, the importance of English language cannot be overstated in today’s globalized world.
In conclusion, while there are valid concerns on both sides, the demand to restrict language instruction to only Marathi and English from Class 1 onwards is not without merit. The government would do well to issue a written order implementing this decision, rather than leaving it to individual schools to decide. After all, as Thackeray has pointed out, the promotion of Marathi is not just a matter of linguistic pride, but also a matter of cultural preservation.
Source: https://x.com/RajThackeray/status/1930208483518857496
