Forced to withdraw its decision to introduce Hindi as the third language in primary classes in Maharashtra, the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has now released a draft curriculum framework for school education where it has included only two languages for all classes from classes 3 to 10.The decision has sparked a fresh discussion in the education sector as the third language has not been included for higher classes (classes 6 to 10) for the first time since the system was introduced from the academic year 1971-72.The SCERT on Sunday released a draft curriculum framework for classes 3 to 10 inviting suggestions from stakeholders.It includes only two languages for all classes – preparatory stage (classes 3 to 5), middle school (classes 6 to 8) and secondary (classes 9 and 10).As per information shared by the SCERT, this draft is prepared on the basis of the State Curriculum Framework prepared in 2024 which is as per the recommendations by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. It provides a list of a total 20 subjects, combined for all these classes; with some new entrants such as Vocation Education apart from conventional subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Social Science. Stakeholders have time until August 27 to submit suggestions.About the missing third language from all these classes, the SCERT has released a note along with the draft.It states, “A committee has been appointed under the chairmanship of Dr. Narendra Jadhav as per the Government Resolution (GR) dated June 30, regarding the implementation of the language policy. The existing system will continue till the decision regarding the third language is implemented on the recommendation of the said committee and in accordance with the decision of the Government thereon.”This has sparked confusion among teachers and schools as they question the connection between the new committee and three languages already taught in higher classes.Story continues below this ad“The said committee is to deliberate upon whether the third language can be implemented from Class 1, which was the point of contention leading to formation of that committee. Nobody had opposed the three-languages taught in higher classes, which has been happening for many years now,” said a senior language teacher from Mumbai, further questioning the hurry in issuing the draft curriculum framework when the final decision cannot be taken until the committee’s report.Mahendra Ganpule, from Maharashtra School Principals’ Association said, “The note insists that until then existing practice will continue. But the draft is for upcoming structure for these classes as per the NEP recommendations. But this missing mention of language three, which has always been part of curriculum for higher classes, definitely leaves room for confusion.”Echoing that there is confusion, Madhav Suryawanshi, coordinator of the Shikshan Vikas Manch, a consortium of teachers and educationists from across the state, said, “Owing to this confusion and for other discussions, the consortium is going to hold an online session for teachers across state to get more clarity by resolving doubts with experts.”Stating that SCERT is simply playing safe, senior educationist Vasant Kalpande said, “System of third language in higher classes has been an existing system. Its exclusion from the syllabus framework is likely to cause confusion over the third language in higher grades, which nobody has contended.”Story continues below this adWhen contacted, SCERT Director, Rahul Rekhawar said, “The committee is deliberating upon the three-language formula of the state. This makes it important to wait for its recommendations because without that we cannot decide from which Grade the third language can be implemented.”Vocational Education from Class 6Among the new subjects, noteworthy is the introduction of Vocational Education subject from Class 6. In a first a separate curriculum is prepared for Vocation Education which will be taught until Class 10 wherein students will be given hands-on experience in various skills such as agriculture, poultry, gardening, mechatronics, AI, robotics, food processing, carpentry, beauty and wellness, and tourism.Another notable change is that, subject ‘Environmental Studies (Part 1 & 2)’ for classes 3 to 5, will be replaced with ‘The World Around Us (TWAU) (Part 1 & 2)’.The existing textbook for Grade 4 (“Shivchatrapati”) will continue as such. Whereas from classes 6 onwards, separate curricula have been developed for History, Geography, and Civic studies. From class 9 onwards, separate curricula have been prepared for Political Science and Economics.