The Maharashtra government, in a serious bid to formulate a supervisory mechanism for 100 international schools to be operational from June, has formed a 10-member governing council. The council will be headed by education minister Vinod Tawde. The state has also formed a 12-member monitoring and management committee chaired by the director of Maharashtra International Education Board (MIEB). A notification in this regard was issued on March 12.
The three non-government members in the governing council include vice president of Early Childhood Education, Dr Swaroop Sampat; Teach for India founder Shahin Mistry and director of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk.
State education department officer told DNA, "The autonomous body will decide curriculum for the schools and conduct examinations. The governing council's mandate include preparing and implementing policies on delegation of powers in these schools, prepare their budget, prepare policy and evaluate various projects to be implemented through these schools."
Sampat, who is also member of the Central Advisory Board of Education, said the government is quite committed to make the 100 international schools operational and that there is no question of looking back. "The government is talking of equal and quality education for rural Maharashtra. Training is being imparted to teachers in Marathi and the curriculum is being finalised," she noted.
School Leaders Network Foundation co-founder Francis Joseph said, "The core focus on the mother tongue language (Marathi) along with high quality English language is truly a bold and progressive step taken by the government. The working groups have studied the various educational systems all around the world and are developing the curriculum framework relevant to us."
Pune-based educationist, Herambh Kulkarni has, however, posed a question to the government asking what will happen to 8,000 Vasti Shalas (locality schools), which were started under the Sarvashiksha Abhiyaan, after the 100 international schools become operational. "There should be a policy continuity. If one lakh schools in the state are accountable then upcoming100 international schools should also be answerable and accountable," said Kulkarni.
FOCUS ON LANGUAGE
- School Leaders Network Foundation co-founder Francis Joseph said, “The core focus on the mother tongue language (Marathi) along with high quality English language is truly a bold and progressive step taken by the government. The working groups have studied the various educational systems all around the world.”
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "School Students")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}