English compulsory from Std I in state

The Minister made it clear that under the existing policy, it is binding on the state government to impart education in the mothertongue and accordingly, from standard one to four, basic education will still be imparted in Marathi.

“The cabinet discussed my proposals at length and in largerinterest of the students and also in view of the increasing competition, it was decided to introduce English language at the primary level itself,” More added.

Ever since his induction in the cabinet, More, a teacher by profession, has been emphasising the need for changes in the education system so that the students from Maharashtra, particularly the Marathi speaking ones, do not lag behind in competition.

The new system would come into force from the academic session beginning June 2000 and specific instructions would be given to all the educational institutions to implement the decision in letter and spirit, More said, and pointed out that in the past, successive state government never made any effort to introduce English at the primary level.

Stating that earlier, students in Marathi medium schools studied English from standard five, More said the department felt that because of this, children specially from the lower strata of the society were left out in the fierce competition. Being acquaintedwith English from an early age, would help children in facing fierce competition.

On the necessity of additional teachers for the purpose, the minister said since the existing teachers are well-equipped, there is no need to recruit additional teachers. However, in view of the overall shortage of teachers, the government has decided to appoint 18,000 teachers on contract basis on a consolidated salary of Rs 2,500 per month. Their performance will be reviewed after five years to decide whether they should be absorbed in the service or otherwise, he added.

More said the Democratic Front government has also decided to create a separate directorate for primary education. “Since I am from teaching profession, I feel that more attention should be given to primary education. Therefore we have decided to create separate directorate for the purpose,” he said.

Secondly, More said now construction of a separate toilet for girl students has been made mandatory. “In rural parts, it was found that the girl studentsdid not have separate toilets. I have asked the department to cut the grants of the erring schools,” he said.

On examinations for primary standards, More said during the Sena-BJP rule, there were no examinations for the students of standard one to four. “We have reversed the decision. Now, there will be two tests for the students of standard one and two, while for the students of third and fourth standard, there will be two tests and annual examination. If the examinations are abandoned, then there will be no accountability,” More said.