Mumbai: Member of Parliament Supriya Sule has written to Maharashtra’s School Education Minister, Dadaji Bhuse, expressing opposition to the state government’s decision to implement the CBSE curriculum in state-run schools. She criticised the government for failing to conduct thorough discussions and consultations before proceeding with the decision.
The School Education Minister recently announced in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly that while the government had received approval from the Steering Committee to implement the CBSE curriculum, discussions are still underway to decide the full adoption of the CBSE timetable.
The transition will commence with Class 1 students in the 2025-26 academic year, with the new session starting on 15 June. Additionally, Maharashtra state board schools may gradually align with the CBSE academic calendar, shifting their start date to 1 April.
Sule criticised the government for failing to engage in discussions with key stakeholders before making the decision. According to her, significant changes such as curriculum design, textbooks, and teacher training—currently managed by the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT)—should have been presented to the competent authority for approval, but this process was overlooked.
Supporting Sule’s concerns, Nitin Dalvi, President of the Mumbai Students, Parents, and Teachers Association, stressed the need to hear the issues faced by educators and parents before implementing such reforms. One such issue raised by him was regarding the change in the academic calendar.
“Maharashtra board schools traditionally begin on 15 June to account for the intense heat in April and May. Forcing students to attend school from 1 April poses health risks. If students fall ill or face any adverse effects due to extreme temperatures, who will take responsibility?” Dalvi questioned.
In her letter, Sule also raised concerns about the impact of this decision on Marathi language education. “By implementing the curriculum of another board, there is uncertainty over how much importance will be given to Marathi, which has been recently recognised as a classical language. This decision undermines Maharashtra’s rich tradition of literature, art, and culture, which is deeply concerning,” she wrote.
Given these concerns, Sule has called for an immediate reversal of the decision and urged the government to convene a meeting with all stakeholders. She emphasised the need for a consensus-driven approach that prioritises the interests of Maharashtra’s students and the state’s rich educational legacy.
