Maharashtra Schools to Switch to NCERT-Based Curriculum from 2025

In a major shift for the education system in Maharashtra, State Board schools are set to adopt a curriculum based on the NCERT framework starting from the academic year 2025-26. According to the School Education Minister, Honourable Shri. Dada Bhuse, this change will begin with Class 1 students receiving NCERT-pattern textbooks, followed by Class 2 students in 2026-27.

The decision to transition to the NCERT curriculum stems from the growing demand among parents for the CBSE pattern, which offers a uniform curriculum nationwide. However, the state education department has clarified that this move will not compromise Maharashtra's cultural identity or state-specific content.

“The CBSE curriculum includes the nation's history, but we will ensure equal importance is given to the state's history, which will be highlighted prominently. These changes will be implemented accordingly. Starting with the 2025-26 academic year, we will introduce the CBSE pattern, and during that year, SCERT will focus on the next steps." Honourable Shri. Bhuse emphasised.

The textbooks, being developed by Balbharati, will integrate NCERT standards while preserving Maharashtra’s unique historical, cultural, and geographical aspects. Subjects like History and Geography will continue to be taught with content from the state’s own textbooks.

Here are some key highlights of the new curriculum:

Inclusive Subjects: Along with regular subjects, greater focus will be placed on agriculture, sports, and arts.

AI for Senior Classes: The state is exploring the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) for higher classes.

Teacher Training: Teachers will undergo year-round training to align with the curriculum changes.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will oversee the phased implementation of these updates.

April 2025: New textbooks will be distributed to schools to align with the start of the 2025-26 academic year.

2025-26 Academic Year: Class 1 textbooks will follow the NCERT pattern.

2026-27 Academic Year: Class 2 will join the new curriculum framework.

To support this educational transformation, the state education department has already recruited 19,000 teachers in the first phase through the Pavitra Portal. The second phase, scheduled to begin on January 20, 2025, will recruit an additional 10,000 teachers.

The transition to NCERT-based textbooks aligns with the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), which advocates for a unified curriculum across states. However, Maharashtra’s education department assures that local flavor will remain intact to celebrate the state’s rich heritage.

With this shift, Maharashtra joins the growing list of states adapting to the NCERT framework, paving the way for a more integrated and inclusive education system.

Times of India, January 18, 2024: State board schools to adopt curriculum based on NCERT pattern

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