Despite Marathi gaining classical status, 131 Marathi schools in Mumbai have shut down in 13 years, student numbers dropped 45%, and experts warn of an existential threat to Marathi-medium education.
Mumbai | June 18: Even as the Marathi language proudly attains classical language status, the ground reality in Mumbai tells a deeply concerning story. While Marathi is being celebrated in official declarations, its lifeline—Marathi-medium schools—is steadily vanishing.
Over the past 13 years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has shut down 131 Marathi municipal schools, reflecting a steep decline not just in infrastructure, but also in public trust.
According to official data, the number of students in Marathi-medium schools has dropped by 45%, a statistic that educators find alarming. For the academic year 2024–25, only 254 Marathi schools remain, hosting 36,205 students and 926 teachers—a fraction of what once stood strong as a pillar of regional education.
Experts point out that while language policies and government initiatives talk of protecting and promoting Marathi, parents are increasingly opting for English-medium schools. The growing perception that English offers better career opportunities is leading many urban families to distance their children from Marathi-medium education—even if they speak the language at home.
“If this trend continues, the very existence of Marathi schools in Mumbai may be at risk in the next few years,” said a senior education officer.
This contradiction—celebrating Marathi as a classical language while watching Marathi schools disappear—raises important questions about language preservation, educational policy, and public perception. Experts argue that unless Marathi schools are revived and made future-ready, the language’s official recognition may remain only symbolic.
Educational activists are calling for urgent reforms, including improving the quality of teaching, digital infrastructure, and job relevance of Marathi education to attract modern families back.
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