In a bid to synchronize Maharashtra’s education system with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the state government has given the green light to upgrade 60,000 elementary schools. This monumental decision, outlined in a recent government resolution (GR), aims to prevent student dropouts post-primary education and foster a seamless transition across schooling levels.
The GR mandates the conversion of 41,966 government schools currently offering education up to lower primary levels into institutions encompassing upper-primary and secondary sections. Additionally, 17,788 schools providing education up to the seventh or eighth grade will extend their curriculum to include classes up to the tenth grade.
Local governing bodies, including district administrations and municipal corporations, have been entrusted with implementing this expansion, tailoring it to meet local needs. The directive underscores the importance of prioritizing schools with adequate student enrollments and mandates the inclusion of pre-primary sections across all institutions.
The primary goal of this initiative is to standardize Maharashtra’s diverse educational landscape, which currently features varying class combinations across schools. By aligning with the NEP’s vision of a unified education structure spanning from pre-primary to class 12, the state aims to create a more cohesive learning environment.
However, transitioning to the NEP’s 5+3+3+4 structure poses significant challenges, especially in terms of staffing and resource allocation. The government, constrained by financial limitations, emphasizes the optimization of existing resources rather than creating additional teaching positions.
Ultimately, this reform seeks to streamline the educational journey for students while addressing systemic issues such as high dropout rates post-elementary education. It represents a concerted effort to bolster the state’s schooling framework and ensure equitable access to quality education for all.
