State anthem to be made mandatory in all Maharashtra schools

MUMBAI: The state's anthem '

Jai Jai Maharashtra Majha

' will now be made mandatory across schools, including the non-state board ones, in Maharashtra. The mandate is part of the state's 100-day plan for the school education department, which was presented on Monday in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
School education minister Dadasaheb Bhuse mentioned that the anthem will be made mandatory along with the effective implementation of the Marathi language in all schools. Schools and anganwadis in the state will also be geo-tagged for the effective implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, mentioned a statement issued by the state govt. The new state curriculum framework (SCF) in line with the NEP will be implemented from the coming academic session.
Among other major initiatives, the state plans to bring

out-of-school children

back into the education system. Bhuse said that long-term measures will be taken to bring back children of brick kiln workers, sugarcane labourers, and agricultural workers into the education system. Bhuse also spoke about the proper use of CSR (corporate social responsibility) funds to build physical facilities in schools. He urged dignitaries and celebrities to adopt a school in their area and visit it regularly to ensure its development.
Bhuse presented the plan for the measures to be undertaken in the next 100 days. He mentioned that they would be adopting the CBSE pattern with necessary modifications for the state. Ranking schools based on quality, creating an education system where there is at least one school up to the class X grade in one centre, and converting at least one class into a smart class are some of the plans on the anvil. The concept of cluster schools, which were earlier opposed by a section of educationists, will be part of the 100-day plan too. Bhuse also said that the recruitment process of teachers will be expedited.

Fadnavis also spoke about registering pre-primary schools and specifying the minimum requirement for such schools. He also said that there is immense talent among students in govt schools and excellent teachers who nurture them are great assets and should be used as role models for others. The distribution of bicycles to female students has proven to increase their attendance at school and therefore, the scheme should continue, added Fadnavis.
Speaking about the mandatory implementation of the state anthem, principals from non-state board schools said that they will wait for the directive. "Currently we start our assembly with a school prayer, the school anthem, and the national anthem. The state anthem is recited during the Marathi Divas, but it is not a regular feature," said a principal.