Teachers, parents and rights groups say the move breaks learning norms and may distort results for thousands of pupils statewide
MUMBAI – An order to conduct student tests only in Marathi under the state’s Nipun Maharashtra Abhiyan has caused fear and confusion among Urdu-medium students, teachers and parents across Mumbai and other districts.
The Education Department has asked schools to hold monthly academic checks for children from Classes II to V under the central Nipun Bharat Abhiyan. The aim is to check basic reading and numerical skills. Marathi-medium schools were given test material in Marathi. On January 29, officials asked Urdu-medium schools to use the same Marathi content and complete tests by January 31.
Teachers say the decision placed Urdu-medium children at a clear loss. Marathi is taught as a third language in Urdu schools, while it is the first language in Marathi-medium schools. The level of language used in the app matches first-language Marathi, which many Urdu-medium pupils cannot read with ease.
“The order has created serious problems for students, teachers and parents,” said Sajid Nisar, General Secretary of the Akhil Bharatiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh. “Urdu-medium students study simple Marathi. The app uses high-level Marathi. Children will struggle to understand the questions, even if they know the answers.”
Education groups say the stress is already visible in schools. Teachers report that young pupils are anxious and parents are unsure how to help at home. Many fear poor scores will wrongly label children as weak learners.
“The test is meant to measure learning, not language barriers,” Nisar said. “Testing Urdu-medium students with advanced Marathi questions is unfair and against the spirit of Nipun Abhiyan.”
Another concern raised by teachers is the lack of Urdu content on the Nipun Maharashtra App. The app does not offer test material in Urdu for language papers. As a result, Urdu-speaking children must attempt both language and mathematics tests written in Marathi.
“Assessment done in this way cannot show the real level of a child,” a senior Urdu teacher from a municipal school said. “It only increases pressure and gives a false picture of learning.”
Education organisations have written to the Chief Secretary, the Education Commissioner and the Director of Education, asking for urgent changes. They have demanded that Urdu-medium students be tested in Urdu and that separate content be added to the app.
“There should be a clear order that Urdu-medium children are assessed through the Urdu subject,” Nisar said. “Until technical changes are made, schools should not be forced to conduct these tests in Marathi.”
He added that he contacted Education Director Rahul Rekhawar through WhatsApp to raise the issue. “He replied, ‘Yes, a decision will be taken in this regard as soon as possible,’” Nisar said.
Urdu education advocates say Muslim students have long supported national education drives and want fair participation. They stress that equal treatment means respecting the medium of instruction chosen by families.
Parents have echoed the concern. “My child studies in Urdu medium,” said a mother from Govandi. “She understands maths, but she cannot read hard Marathi. This test will only scare her.”
Teachers and organisations are now waiting for a revised order that protects the rights of Urdu-medium students and allows assessment in a language they actually learn in.
