Making English optional may promote regional languages but limit students’ access to global opportunities

English language will no longer be compulsory at the junior college level (classes XI and XII) in Maharashtra, will be now categorised as a foreign language. This recommendation is part of the draft State Curriculum Framework (SCF) for school education from classes III to XII, released by the Maharashtra State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT). This proposal deviates from the longstanding practice of making English compulsory in Maharashtra’s higher secondary education.

Under the new subject structure outlined in the SCF, students of classes XI and XII would have the option to choose eight subjects, including two languages, environmental education (EE) and physical education (PE), and four subjects of their preference. One of the language choices must be an Indian language, as per the SCF’s language chart, which lists 17 indigenous Indian languages and nine foreign languages, with English being the primary foreign language.

In a chat with Education Times, Kamaladevi Awate, deputy director, Maharashtra SCERT, says, “Students are getting a fair idea of the English language till class X; those who want to take up the language in higher classes are allowed to do so. We have made it an optional subject to help students struggling with English.”

Awate, who oversees the SCF, emphasises that this proposal will prove beneficial for students who find English difficult and are unable to clear the exam. Maharashtra higher secondary board witnessed a decline in overall percentage in English with 99.94% in 2021, 95.49% in 2022 and 93.56% in 2023. In such cases, students will be able to choose another language to clear the class XII exams with better scores. “The decision is not final yet and we are open to suggestions from the stakeholders. The feedback will be included in the SCERT committee meeting to make the final decision. We have received mixed responses so far,” she added. Highlighting that the aim and essence of the NEP 2020 is to allow students the opportunity to learn multiple languages, Awate says, “The proposal is in line with the NEP. As per the National Curriculum Framework too, English is not a compulsory subject in classes XI-XII.”

Drawback at competition level
Satyajeet Tambe, legislator, Maharashtra Legislative Council, says, “The move is likely aimed at promoting Indian languages and allowing students to learn in their own language. While this will allow students to learn, for example, Engineering, in their local language, the competition outside will, in most cases, prefer the English-speaking candidate over the regional language candidate. English is just as mandatory as the other regional languages, especially in terms of employment. If the interview were conducted in English, if the data analytics and accounting, etc is to be done in English, the recruiters would be tempted to choose someone who is well-versed in the language.”

He says that this would affect the future of the students. “Even China had to make efforts to teach English to its youth. We must not be in a situation where we become irrelevant to the world. Every non-English-speaking country is struggling with the economy as the international touch and connect with the world is missing,” he says.

Rukaiya Rawat, former vice-principal, Al Muminah School, says, “The Maharashtra government's decision to make English optional aims to promote linguistic diversity and prioritise regional languages. The rationale behind this move is to strengthen students' proficiency in their mother tongue and other Indian languages, leading to a stronger cultural identity. This policy shift is aligned with the broader national educational reforms that emphasise the importance of multilingual education and cultural heritage.”

Need for a balanced approach
The potential impact of this decision on students' futures needs to be debated. “English proficiency is often seen as essential for higher education and global job markets. Making English optional may limit students’ access to opportunities that require strong English skills. This could widen the skill gap and create disparities in access to resources predominantly available in English, thereby disadvantaging students from Maharashtra in a competitive global environment,” she says. “While the policy aims to strengthen regional languages and cultural identity, it also raises important questions about how to best prepare students for a globalised world. The government may need to implement additional measures to ensure that students are not disadvantaged in their future endeavours while promoting regional languages,” says Rawat.

Kalpana Gangaramani, a parent of class X student who cleared state board exam this year, says, “Offering English as an elective would not necessarily be detrimental. First-time learners face challenges with the English language in schools and even beyond, this is likely why the government is considering making English optional. This change, therefore, could alleviate some pressure for students who struggle with the language. On the other hand, emphasising regional languages in higher grades could be beneficial. A strong foundation in regional languages can improve critical thinking skills and enhance understanding across all subjects. Additionally, fluency in a regional language can be an asset in various professions, particularly those serving local communities. However, the choice should remain open. Students who aspire to pursue higher studies abroad or careers in multinational companies can opt for English if they find it necessary for their future goals.” 

Choice of languages
The SCF lists 17 indigenous Indian languages and nine foreign languages, with English being the primary foreign language. Of the two languages, one has to be chosen from a group of 17 Indian languages including Marathi, Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, Urdu, Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Sindhi, Bengali, Punjabi, Pali, Telugu, Ardhamagadhi, Maharashtri Prakrit, Avesta-Pahalvi. English has been included in the category of foreign languages along with German, French, Russian, Japanese, Spanish, Chinese, Persian and Arabic. The second language could be from either the first or the second group.