Mumbai: Even as the Maharashtra cabinet announced the scrapping of both govt resolutions (GRs), released in April and June, regarding the three-language formula, educationists and linguists remain wary of the state’s back-and-forth on the issue and have urged it to include them in future consultations and deliberations.Laxmikanth Deshmukh, chairman of the Marathi Language Advisory Committee, said, “It’s good that the GRs have been scrapped and that state govt has formed a committee under educationist Narendra Jadhav. I hope the committee reaches out to us and everyone who objects to the policy and hears our views — though I still feel there is no need for a third language in the state.”The state’s Marathi Language Advisory Committee joined the rising opposition against the three-language formula when it passed a resolution on June 27 opposing the teaching of Hindi in schools before the class 5. This marked the first time a govt-appointed panel officially opposed Hindi instruction before class 5.Speaking on the mounting opposition, educationist-linguist Shripad Bhalchandra Joshi said, “It is welcome that the govt has withdrawn both GRs. However, given govt’s past approach to discussions and committee formation, I think it is necessary for them to give representation to all relevant stakeholders. I would also suggest that they make the committee’s work more transparent by publishing its schedule and method of study.”Bhau Gawande, former deputy director of education, said that on Sunday afternoon — just hours before the policy was put on hold — he and a number of educationists met with top-ranking education department officials. “They tried explaining their reasoning — like the Academic Bank of Credits and the benefits of multi-vocal education. We only asked: ‘Why does a third language need to be taught? Any other subject could be taught instead.‘ We also pointed out that children who don’t speak Marathi at home would have to learn four languages. Overall, it was a non-conclusive meeting.”Madhav Suryavanshi of the Shikshan Vikas Manch expressed hesitation in trusting the govt’s announcement. “Until an official order is issued canceling the decision to implement the three-language formula from class 1, the government’s stance cannot be trusted,” he said.
