Hindi as third language will now be mandatory in classes 1 to 5
The state school education department on Wednesday declared a phase-wise implementation plan of the new curriculum framework designed as per the NEP 2020 recommendations for school education.
Written by Pallavi Smart
Mumbai | Updated: April 17, 2025 05:53 AM IST
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While the new curriculum implementations will be done in phases at different stages, SCERT has also prepared bridge course for classes where students will be transitioning directly from old to new curriculum.
Studying Hindi as a third language will now be mandatory for students in classes 1 to 5 in Marathi and English-medium schools across Maharashtra, as opposed to the prevailing practice of studying two languages. The three-language formula has been brought for these classes in Maharashtra as a part of the new curriculum implementation under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The state school education department on Wednesday declared a phase-wise implementation plan of the new curriculum framework designed as per the NEP 2020 recommendations for school education. The Government Resolution (GR) declared in this regard clarifies that other medium schools in Maharashtra are already following three-language formula since English and Marathi are compulsory in the state; and they also teach the language which is their medium of instruction. Whereas in English and Marathi medium schools, only two languages were taught.
The GR declares commencement of the 5+3+3+4 structure of school education, as recommended under NEP 2020 wherein first five years (3 years of pre-primary and classes 1 and 2) will be foundational stage, classes 3 to 5 will be Preparatory stage, Classes 6 to 8 will be covered under Middle school and final four years (Classes 9 to 12) will be Secondary Education. The school education department has declared the phase-wise implementation plan for the new structure starting with Class 1 from academic year 2025-26. The three language formula too will be implemented as per the prescribed phases, starting with Class 1 from the upcoming academic year.
As per the new curriculum framework, textbooks of Maharashtra State Board will now be based on curriculum developed by National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) along with modifications as per Maharashtra’s local context, especially in subjects like social science and languages. Accordingly, Class 1 textbooks are being published by Balbharati, the state textbook bureau.
Rahul Rekhawar, Director of State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT), said, “The curriculum content for the first three years of pre-primary section is already prepared. It has to be implemented in association with the Women and Child Welfare department which regulates anganwadis. SCERT is going to hold teacher training workshops for anganwadis to effectively implement the new curriculum for pre-primary.”
While the new curriculum implementations will be done in phases at different stages, SCERT has also prepared bridge course for classes where students will be transitioning directly from old to new curriculum.
Additionally, Maharashtra State Board schools will now have Holistic Progress Card (HPC) for students. Rekhawar explained, “NCERT has released a model HPC for different stages of school education. As opposed to mark-oriented report cards, the HPC will include various other behavioral and personality related observations of every student apart from evaluation of expected learning outcomes in different classes. Plan is to introduce HPC for Class 1 students from academic year 2025-26 as they start learning the new curriculum.”
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.
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