Maharashtra Minister Confirms Continuation of SSC Board Amid CBSE Implementation
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Synopsis
Maharashtra's School Education Minister, Dadaji Bhuse, assures the state assembly that the SSC Board will persist despite the introduction of the CBSE pattern for first standard in government schools, emphasizing the state's educational tradition.
Key Takeaways
- State SSC Board will remain intact.
- CBSE curriculum beneficial for competitive exams.
- Focus on personal development and soft skills.
- Concerns raised over Marathi language and culture.
- New textbooks and curriculum in development.
Mumbai, March 24 (NationPress) Maharashtra's Minister of School Education, Dadaji Bhuse, informed the state assembly that despite the government's initiative to introduce the CBSE pattern for first standard students in government schools, the state SSC Board will remain operational.
Bhuse's remarks came in response to significant criticism from opposition parties and various stakeholders.
“The State SSC Board will not be abolished. Maharashtra boasts a rich educational legacy, and thus, we have no intention of discontinuing the state board that symbolizes our state's identity. In fact, the education department views this move as a means to enhance the board's capabilities. We are planning to introduce multiple textbooks aligned with the new state curriculum.
He elaborated that the Education Department has devised Maharashtra’s distinct CBSE curriculum for the examination system, influenced by the National Curriculum Framework (School Education) and the National Curriculum Framework established under the National Education Policy 2020. Essential alterations have been incorporated for the benefit of our students,” the minister stated.
According to the newly established curriculum, the development of textbooks for the first standard via Balbharti is currently in progress. For the state, the curriculum/syllabus for Classes 1 to 10 is being formulated through the State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERTM). He assured that students would acquire knowledge at the state, national, and global levels.
“The CBSE curriculum is advantageous for competitive examinations and proves beneficial for national-level competitive tests such as JEE, NEET, and UPSC,” he noted. “We are emphasizing soft skills and counselling, focusing on students' personal development by teaching them communication abilities, leadership skills, creativity, and stress management,” the minister added.
Previously, NCP SP MP Supriya Sule expressed strong disapproval of the school education department's announcement regarding the implementation of the CBSE pattern for the academic year 2025-26 in government schools, claiming it could severely impact the classical language Marathi, along with the culture and traditions.
Sule has urged the state government to reconsider this decision in a letter to the minister. “Maharashtra boasts a commendable educational tradition. It is disappointing that the government has opted to overlook it in favor of following other boards. This decision raises concerns about the potential erasure of our rich educational identity. I believe this could be detrimental to the classical language Marathi, as well as our culture and traditions. I respectfully request the state government to reconsider this decision,” Sule urged.
