English not a must in Class 11, 12; to be treated as ‘foreign language’ in Maharashtra

This is one of the recommendations put forth by the draft State Curriculum Framework (SCF) for School Education (SE) from Class 3 to Class 12, released by the Maharashtra State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT)

English, English as foreign language in maharashtra,

The draft SCF-SE lacks clarity on the English language policy in classes 3 to 10, where English was mandatory until now. (Representational Image by Gurmeet)

English language will be categorised as a “foreign language” and will no longer be compulsory at the Junior College (JC) level (Classes 11 and 12), deviating from the long-standing practice in Maharashtra. This is one of the recommendations put forth by the draft State Curriculum Framework (SCF) for School Education (SE) from Class 3 to Class 12, released by the Maharashtra State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) on Wednesday.

Under the proposed subject scheme for Classes 11 and 12, students can select eight subjects — two languages, environmental and physical education, and four subjects of their choice. The SCF aims to eliminate the stream-specific (Arts, Commerce, Science) learning eventually. One of the languages must be of Indian origin, as per the SCF’s language chart, which lists 17 native Indian languages and nine foreign languages, with English topping the list.

Vasant Kalpande, a renowned educationist, asked, “How can English be considered a foreign language?” Pointing out its significance in official communication between state and central governments, court proceedings, and various governmental documents, he emphasised that English, along with Hindi, is declared as an official language of the Government of India.

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The draft SCF-SE lacks clarity on the English language policy in classes 3 to 10, where English was mandatory until now. According to the proposed subject combinations, classes 3 to 5 will have two languages instead of the existing three-language system. The first language can be either the mother tongue or the state language (Marathi), and the second language can be any other language.

Schools, particularly English medium ones, have expressed concerns about implementation. A teacher said, “We cater to children coming from different backgrounds with various mother tongue. This means we are left with a second option, which is essentially Marathi. Then how are we going to be English medium schools.” The draft has led to more confusion than answers, the teacher added.

Many teachers also pointed out that the proposed system violates parents’ rights to select the medium of instruction for their children’s schooling, considering Maharashtra’s urbanised and industrialised nature with a significant migrant population.

For classes 7 to 8, the proposed subject scheme recommends three languages without specifying the combination. For classes 9 and 10, two out of three languages must be of Indian origin. Some education experts find the optional language choice contradictory to the Maharashtra government’s 2021 decision, which made Marathi a mandatory subject in all schools.

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In addition to the confusing language policy, the SCF is also being discussed for offering a multi-disciplinary approach to junior college education, replacing the traditional Arts, Commerce and Science streams. Students will have the freedom to choose subjects across disciplines.
Mahendra Ganpule, spokesperson of the Maharashtra State School Principals’ Association, emphasised the importance of public feedback on the draft, available on SCERT’s official website until June 3.

The SCF also recommends incorporating the Indian Knowledge System into the curriculum, including courses on Yoga, ancient Indian technologies and science, and historical Indian contributions to modern mathematics, such as Aryabhatta’s work in trigonometry. Classes 11 and 12 will include a course on knowledge traditions and practices of India.

Pallavi Smart

Pallavi Smart is a Principal Correspondent with The Indian Express, Mumbai Bureau. Her reporting is singularly focused on the education sector, demonstrating exceptional Expertise and Authority across the entire spectrum of learning, from foundational schooling to advanced higher education. She is a highly Trustworthy source for policy, institutional developments, and systemic issues affecting students, teachers, and parents in Maharashtra. Expertise Senior Role: As a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, her designation reflects her seniority, specialized knowledge, and the editorial rigor applied to her reporting. Core Authority & Specialization: Pallavi Smart is the definitive voice for Education news in the region. Her coverage scope is comprehensive: Policy and Regulatory Changes: Reports on major shifts in educational policy, including the restructuring of entrance exams (e.g., MHT-CET adopting the JEE Main model), the draft regulatory framework for coaching classes, and revised teacher recruitment processes. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs): Provides in-depth reporting on prestigious institutes like IIT Bombay and TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences), covering institutional initiatives, administrative debates (e.g., renaming IIT Bombay), and student welfare programs (e.g., mandatory mental health courses). Teachers and Eligibility: Covers crucial issues affecting the teaching fraternity, such as the mandatory Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) for in-service teachers and related controversies and application numbers. Student Welfare & Rights: Focuses on issues concerning students, including the rollout of government scholarships, the financial strain on schools due to midday meal reimbursement delays, and instances of child rights violations (e.g., the Powai studio hostage crisis). Admissions and Vacancy: Tracks the outcome of centralized admission processes (e.g., MBBS, BPharm) and analyzes vacancy concerns, providing essential data-driven insights for parents and students. Credentials & Trustworthiness Dedicated Beat: Her consistent focus on the "KG to PG" education beat allows her to develop unparalleled subject matter knowledge, ensuring her reports are accurate, detailed, and contextualized. Proactive Reporting: Her articles frequently break news on policy and institutional planning, providing the public with timely, essential information about a sector that directly impacts millions of families. She tweets @Pallavi_Smart ... Read More

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