By Ira Deshpande
Maharashtra’s residents are being asked to help shape how the next generation learns languages, as a government panel opens public consultations on the much talked about three-language policy. A government-appointed panel headed by economist and educationist Dr. Narendra Jadhav has launched an online survey and outreach campaign to gather people’s opinions on the policy.
Through questionnaires and open meetings, the committee is hoping to hear directly from teachers, parents and students. The survey asks when a third language should be introduced, which languages should be offered, and whether all school boards, including state, CBSE, and ICSE, should follow a uniform pattern.
The questions go beyond traditional language teaching. Respondents are also being about whether schools should include coding languages such as Python, or allow students to learn additional Indian or foreign languages through digital platforms for extra credit.
Officials say the move is aimed at making the policy more inclusive and in tune with the National Education Policy (NEP). The review follows earlier criticism of proposals that would have made Hindi compulsory from Class 1, which many said would undermine the linguistic diversity in the state.
However, not everyone is convinced. Some linguists and education activists claim the questionnaire shows a bias toward Hindi and fails to give equal weight to other Indian languages. They argue the process must protect Maharashtra’s multilingual character rather than impose uniformity.
Dr. Jadhav has said the panel’s main goal is to reflect “the full range of voices” across the state. The findings, due in December, will form the basis of recommendations for how languages are taught in schools.
For now, the government is encouraging citizens to fill out the online form and make their opinions count in shaping the state’s future language policy.