CBSE Makes Regional Language Education Mandatory; Marathi to Be Taught in Maharashtra Schools
Pune, 26th May 2025: In a significant shift in language education policy, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated the teaching of the mother tongue or the state’s regional language from the foundational stage in all its affiliated schools across India. In Maharashtra, this directive will lead to the compulsory introduction of Marathi in CBSE schools.
According to the new guidelines, the primary language of instruction for young learners should ideally be the child’s mother tongue. If that is not practical, the state language must be adopted. This language will serve as the medium of instruction until the child achieves foundational literacy in a second language.
To facilitate the implementation, CBSE has directed all affiliated schools to form a language implementation committee by the end of May 2025. These committees will review students’ linguistic backgrounds, recommend curriculum adjustments, and ensure the availability of suitable teaching materials. Furthermore, teachers will undergo specialized training in multilingual education by July 2025 to support the transition.
The policy emphasizes the importance of using the mother tongue or regional language for children aged 3 to 8 years, from pre-primary to Grade 2, as part of their core learning. English and Hindi will continue to be taught in higher grades, maintaining the multilingual framework.
Educationists have welcomed the move, citing research that early education in a child’s mother tongue enhances cognitive development, emotional well-being, and academic performance. The new policy is also in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which advocates multilingualism to ensure equitable and effective education across the country.
This initiative is expected to bring long-term benefits by promoting linguistic diversity, cultural connection, and stronger foundational learning among young students.
