Maharashtra panel seeks views on three-language policy, coding, English conversation in schools

The Maharashtra government’s committee, which is responsible for recommending the implementation of the three-language formula in schools, has released questionnaires to gather opinions of teachers, students, parents, social workers, officials, and others.

In separate objective-type questionnaires for English, Marathi, Hindi and other medium schools, the panel has sought thoughts on the levels for introducing various languages in each school. The questionnaire specifically asks if Hindi should be added at any level, or not taught at all.

The panel has also prepared another questionnaire with open-ended questions to get detailed views on the three-language policy from organisations, teachers and principals.

The questionnaire makes a distinction between using different languages for the foundation level (pre-school to Class 2) activities such as songs, games, conversation and alphabet identification and a more formal learning of language through reading and writing at higher levels. The students, parents, teachers, and others can share their feedback on whether three or more languages should be taught right from the foundational stage or in a more gradual manner.

Maharashtra three-language formula

The language committee has also asked the people if the state's language policy should be uniform across mediums and boards (state, CBSE , ICSE) or if it should be unique for each type of school.

Surpassing the basic problem of implementing a three-language formula in Maharashtra schools, the questionnaire asks if coding languages such as Python should be introduced to students as part of information technology and computer science courses in Classes 8, 9 or 10. This is for the purpose of strengthening the foundation for disciplines such as artificial intelligence, analytics, blockchain and machine learning, says the questionnaire.

The panel has also asked if there should be a provision to teach English conversation and presentation from Class 6, 8 or 9 in all schools. There's another query about allowing students to learn an additional Indian or foreign language through digital mode or self-learning for extra credits to promote 'national integration' and 'global outlook'.