Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 18: The Maharashtra school education department on Friday issued a fresh Government Resolution (GR) mandating compulsory teaching of Marathi across all schools in the state, with strict penalties for non-compliance.

The directive, issued under the Maharashtra Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Marathi Language in All Schools Act, 2020, applies to all schools irrespective of board, medium or management.

According to the GR, schools failing to comply may face penalties of up to Rs 1 lakh, with the possibility of withdrawal of recognition in cases of repeated violations. The order also makes it mandatory for every school to appoint qualified Marathi teachers.

A multi-tier enforcement mechanism has been introduced, under which divisional Deputy Directors of Education will act as competent authorities to ensure implementation. Schools will be inspected within two months of the start of the academic year.

Institutions found violating the norms will be issued notices and given 15 days to respond. Failure to comply may lead to fines and directions for immediate implementation.

The GR also provides for an appeal mechanism, allowing school managements to challenge penalties before the Director of Education within 30 days. Persistent violations could lead to hearings before the Commissioner of Education and eventual cancellation of recognition.

However, the move has drawn criticism from activists, who say implementation has remained weak despite the law coming into effect in 2020. They have also pointed out the lack of a clear database identifying compliant and non-compliant schools.

Marathi School Management Association coordinator Sushil Shejule said that despite repeated government resolutions over the past six years, enforcement remains incomplete.

He added that authorities have failed to prepare a comprehensive list of schools complying with the mandate, calling the latest GR ahead of the academic year “yet another eyewash.”