Maharashtra government to extend curricular support to Marathi schools in US: Ashish Shelar

The US has over 50 Marathi schools that are operated by members of the community and teach the language, culture and traditions of Maharashtra to youngsters.

By: Express News Service

Mumbai | July 25, 2025 13:15 IST

There are over 50 Marathi schools across the United States, operated voluntarily by members of the community. (Source: Screengrab/X/@ShelarAshish)

The Maharashtra Government will officially extend curricular support to Marathi schools operating in the United States, Minister for Information Technology and Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar said Thursday as he visited the Bay Area in California’s San Francisco as part of a US tour.

There are over 50 Marathi schools across the United States, operated voluntarily by members of the community. During the meeting, representatives of the Mandal noted that if the Maharashtra government provides an official recommendation and curriculum, it would significantly ease the process of teaching Marathi language, conducting examinations, and issuing certificates to students.

Shelar assured the Mandal that he would consult Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and School Education Minister Dada Bhuse, and stated that the government will “extend full support”, including official recommendations, and the “provision of a formal curriculum for Marathi schools across the US”.

The development comes after a recent row in Maharashtra over the three-language system under the National Education Policy. Following opposition, the state government withdrew resolutions mandating the teaching of Hindi in schools from Class 1.

Shelar met office-bearers of the Maharashtra Mandal, which runs Marathi schools in the region. These schools, run by Marathis, teach the language, culture, history and folk traditions of Maharashtra to the next generation. The school in the Bay Area has been operational since 2005 and currently teaches Marathi to around 300 students.

Though the Marathi schools in the US are operated by the Mandal, the state government’s reassurance conveys a larger message, reiterating its commitment to the Marathi language and institutions.

The BJP-led Mahayuti government in the state, helmed by Fadnavis, has been going the extra mile to project itself as the true custodian of Marathi manoos following the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi’s (MVA) campaign alleging that the saffron party was trying to thrust Hindi language in primary schools in the state under the NEP.

The language dispute even brought together the estranged Thackeray cousins Shiv Sena (UBT) president Uddhav and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj, who have made Marathi asmitha (Marathi pride) a common plank ahead of the upcoming local body elections, including in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation.

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