English made compulsary from Std I

Mumbai, December 8: In a major policy decision to bring in drastic changes in the educational system, the Democratic Front government toda...

Mumbai, December 8: In a major policy decision to bring in drastic changes in the educational system, the Democratic Front government today decided to introduce English as a compulsory language in all Marathi medium schools from standard one.

The new system will come into force from the academic session beginning June 2000 and specific instructions will be given to all the educational institutions to implement the decision in letter and spirit.

“We have decided to introduce English as a compulsory language from standard one. However, there will be no change in the existing educational policy at the state level,” a senior official clarified. He also emphasised that it was not an attempt to show any kind of disrespect to the state language, Marathi.

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The cabinet discussed at length the proposal mooted by School Education Minister Ramkrishna More that in larger interest of the students and also in view of the increasing competition, it was essential to introduce English language at the primary level itself.

Ever since his induction in the cabinet, More, a teacher by profession, has been emphasising on need for revolutionary changes in the educational system so that the students from Maharashtra, particularly the Marathi speaking ones, do not lag behind. In his first meeting with the officials of the education department, More had told them that the students should not be called to perform drills or exercises on the eve of the visit of the top officials or ministers.

On the necessity of additional teachers for the purpose, the official said since the existing teachers are already training, there will be no need to recruit additional teachers. “All our primary teachers are well qualified. Stating that earlier, students in Marathi medium schools started studying English from standard five onwards, the official 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 acquainted with English from an early age would prepare the children to face the global competition, the official said, adding, the move will also help in removing the inequality in education among children.