Pune: The Maharashtra School Education Department has announced an expansion of Marathi language education to Japan, following its successful implementation in North America.

Under a new agreement, Marathi textbooks from Balbharati will be provided to students from grades one to five in Japan. Additionally, a library will be established to cultivate a love for reading Marathi literature among young learners.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on January 31st between the School Education Department, the Edogawa India Cultural Center, and the Tokyo Marathi Mandal Japan.

This agreement assigns various responsibilities to institutions under the School Education Department for its execution. Balbharati will supply textbooks and has the authority to make up to 20 per cent changes to meet local needs.

The State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) will prepare question papers and train teachers from the Edogawa India Cultural Center and the Tokyo Marathi Mandal Japan.

The Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education will issue certificates to fifth-grade students. Notably, the implementation of this agreement will not receive financial assistance from the government.

To promote the spread of the Marathi language among the students of the schools run by the Edogawa India Cultural Center and the Tokyo Marathi Mandal Japan, a coordination committee has been appointed to oversee the work, including providing curricula, books, conducting exams, and issuing certificates.

This committee, chaired by the director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training, includes a total of nine members, including representatives from the Edogawa India Cultural Center and the Tokyo Marathi Mandal Japan.

This committee will review the work monthly and has the authority to make changes to the activities with government approval as needed.