Following protests and a signature campaign against the government resolution dated June 19,2010,the Shikshan Hakka Samanvay Samiti organised a meeting of representatives from Marathi-medium schools from across the state to decide the future course of action. The Samiti,which has been protesting against the government resolution that says Marathi-medium schools that have no recognition should be closed down immediately,demanded the review of government policies. Calling the GR as a violation of children's right to education,the group has been doing the work of going to various schools and spreading awareness about the injustice being done to these schools. There are more than 7,000 Marathi-medium schools across the state have been affected by this GR. Many of these schools teach deprived children. If all these schools are shut down,where will all these children go. This is a serious violation of a child's right to education, said Suhas Kolhekar,a social activist. As many as 200 representatives from places including Aurangabad,Nashik,Mumbai,Thane,Raigad and Kolhapur attended the meeting. This meeting was a platform for people concerned about the government's action. We are planning on organising similar meetings where representatives can come and voice their opinions as well as discuss what needs to be done in the future, said educationist Ramesh Panse. As of now,the Samiti is planning various conferences and seminars in the seven admisnistrative divisions of the state. Around November 14,the group plans to assemble various students,parents and teachers from these schools and go and talk to the government authorities at the district levels and talk to them regarding some action to be taken against the GR. We will also be a part of the Sahitya Sammelan in Thane and hold discussions regarding the issue there, added Panse. Speaking about the basic aim of the conferences,Vijaya Chauhan,state convenor of the Samiti said,Our aim as of now is to mobilise people and spread the message that studying in the mother-tonuge is very important at least up to the primary level. Thus,instead of asking Marathi-medium schools to be discontinued,they should be promoted. The group is demanding an immediate review of the government's policies. If this GR is followed,as many as 50,000 students will be left with nowhere to go. The Government should withdraw the GR of June 19 should be withdrawn with immediate effect. This was the first state level conference that has been organised and we will do all that is in our might to see that the government takes back this law, added Chauhan.
