Over 94,000 students failed in Marathi

Following the announcement of the Maharashtra SSC Results 2026, unexpected news has come to light. More than 94,000 students across the state have failed in Marathi, the official state language, a development that has become a cause for major concern within educational circles.

According to statistics, over 80,000 candidates failed to pass among those who had opted for Marathi specifically as their first language. Furthermore, a significant number of students who had chosen Marathi as their second or third language also failed in the subject. Consequently, the total number of students who failed has reached 94,544.

It represents not only the outcome of an examination, but also highlights the current state of the education system and the changing landscape of language usage. While Marathi has long held significant cultural and educational importance in Maharashtra, the reduced usage of the language among the younger generation has now come into sharp focus.

According to experts, the rise of English-medium education and the shifting dynamics of urban life have led to a weakening of the connection many students share with their mother tongue.

According to government data, a total of 1,098,623 students appeared for the examination with Marathi as their first language. Of these, 1,006,896 passed, while 80,803 failed. Although the overall pass rate for the subject stood at 92.57 per cent, the number of students who failed has raised problems among education experts.

On the other hand, among the 413,917 students who opted for Marathi as a second or third language, 13,471 failed. In total, 94,544 students failed to pass the Marathi subject.

Many language experts believe that Marathi has now been reduced to only a subject for examinations. For students, its significance as a language of literature, culture, or conversation is no longer what it used to be.

According to experts, interest in the mother tongue is waning among students; language instruction methods in schools have become increasingly exam-oriented; the use of Marathi within families has declined; and the influence of English in digital content and social media has grown. These factors are impacting language learning.

Over the past few years, the number of English-medium schools in Maharashtra has increased rapidly. Many parents are enrolling their children in English-medium schools with an eye on future job opportunities.

As a result, students are becoming more comfortable in English and Hindi, while the habit of reading and writing in their mother tongue is reducing, leading to an imbalance in linguistic proficiency. Experts state that integrating the mother tongue with modern education now poses the greatest challenge.

In the rise of these results, the education system itself is facing a new view. Many believe that if language is taught solely for the sake of earning marks, students are unable to establish a genuine connection with the language.

Some educationists argue that language instruction must be made more engaging and practical. There is a need to place greater focus on teaching language through the study of literature, cultural activities, and conversation.