In Maharashtra, recent educational policy changes stir frustration among parents, teachers, and students, raising concerns as the state approaches assembly elections.
Many feel these policies have degraded the quality of education in over one lakh government and government-aided schools, 80% of which are Marathi-medium. Key issues include the delayed rollout of the “One State One Uniform” policy, which left students without proper uniforms, and the Aadhaar-based enrolment mandate, which created hurdles for rural families. Modifications in the midday meal scheme have also left students with substandard meals, especially in remote areas where low contractor pay disincentivizes providers.
The "One State One Uniform" initiative, introduced this academic year, aimed to standardize uniforms across government schools but has faced significant backlash due to its implementation challenges. Many students are left with ill-fitting and poor-quality garments, unlike when local School Management Committees had control over quality and sizing. Ramakant Lungare, a parent from Nashik, expressed disappointment, explaining, “My children now lack decent uniforms, quality education, and nutritious meals due to policy changes.”
Teachers, too, have voiced their frustrations, especially regarding non-educational tasks like data entry and school maintenance. These duties pull them away from teaching, with some reporting using up to 18 mobile apps to submit data regularly. “The increased workload leaves less time for actual teaching,” said a teacher from Thane.
Activists argue that these policies reflect a trend toward centralization and have called for voters to consider the impact on state-run education. Geeta Mahashabde, a Pune-based activist, urged voters to reflect on the policy-driven decline in public school quality, cautioning that such measures systematically exclude marginalized communities from quality education. Educators stress the need for thorough stakeholder consultation in policy formation to better address Maharashtra’s educational needs. With dissatisfaction mounting, education is set to become a critical issue in the upcoming elections.
