BMC to modernise Urdu, Marathi schools

Mumbai: For setting up the 23 International Schools, 11 English medium schools, five Hindi, five Urdu and two Marathi medium schools have been selected by the BMC to get upgraded for meeting global standards. The Marathi medium schools will continue to function as Marathi International Schools. Similarly, Urdu and Hindi schools too will be upgraded to International Schools but the first language will remain the same.

"There were several backlashes from councillors and educators that we are sidelining Marathi language and prioritising English. Now, although the schools will be international, the medium of the school will remain intact," an official said. "We respect the mother tongue of the child but English is vital too in the academic life of the student," he added.

According to him, if a school is English medium or semi-English medium, English becomes the first language. Similarly, an Urdu medium school will have Urdu has a first language which will be followed by English language. This will be the case for both Marathi and Hindi medium schools as well.

"English is an important language for the future opportunities of the student. Whatsoever is the medium of the school, International Schools will have English as an important language or subject," claimed the official