In a groundbreaking initiative, the Maharashtra government has unveiled a new policy regulating the screening of films, short films, and documentaries in schools, categorizing these as part of e-education resources. Under the new guidelines, schools are permitted to show a maximum of three films each academic year, with the stipulation that at least two of them must be in Marathi. Additionally, all screenings will require approval from the office of the Commissioner of Education.
Implementation Timeline and Approval Process
The state’s school education department announced that these guidelines will come into effect for the academic year 2025-26, following the approval of select films for the current year. An article in the Indian Express mentioned that as per the recently issued Government Resolution (GR), proposals for any film or documentary screenings submitted now will be considered by a scrutiny committee for the upcoming academic year.
Rationale Behind the Policy
This policy responds to a notable increase in requests for the approval of educational films as part of e-education materials. The GR emphasizes that while education through entertainment is valuable, it should not disrupt the regular academic schedule or hinder students' studies. Furthermore, any permissions granted will only be valid for the specific academic year, with local education officers assigned the responsibility of ensuring compliance with these new guidelines.
Mixed Reactions to the Policy
Reactions to the policy have been mixed. Many schools have welcomed the limitations on film screenings; however, some non-Marathi medium institutions have expressed concerns regarding the requirement that two out of three films must be in Marathi. A former leader of the Maharashtra School Principals’ Association remarked on the historic nature of these guidelines, establishing a centralized process for managing requests. Meanwhile, a senior teacher from a Mumbai school raised questions about the appropriateness of imposing such a requirement on English medium schools.