Third Language to Focus on Listening, Speaking in Class 1-2

Facing strong opposition from educationists, political parties and civil society groups, the state government has softened its stance on its controversial decision to make Hindi the default third language in schools from Class 1.

- Niraj Pandit

MUMBAI:

On a day when cousins Raj and Uddhav Thackeray both attacked the state government over the decision, school education minister Dada Bhuse on Thursday assured that Hindi would not be imposed. He added that the emphasis while teaching the third language in Classes 1-2 will be only on spoken skills, while written assessments will begin only from Class 3.

"There is no compulsion to learn Hindi as a third language. Students can choose any of the 22 Indian languages," said Bhuse, addressing a press conference at Mantralaya. "The provision of at least 20 students [needed per class to opt for an alternate third language] is only for the administrative purpose of appointing a teacher for that subject. If fewer than 20 students want to study a language other than Hindi, the school can make arrangements through online platforms."