The State government is all set to launch 13 Marathi-medium school in rural Maharashtra under the Maharashtra International Education Board from June.

The announcement was made at the first governing council meeting led by Education Minister Vinod Tawde on Thursday. It was attended by government as well as non-government members in the governing council such as the Vice-President of Early Childhood Education, Dr Swaroop Sampat, Teach for India founder Shaheen Mistri, Director of Students Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh, Sonam Wangchuk, Principal Secretary of State Education Department Nand Kumar, and Education Commissioner Vishal Solanki.

Addressing the media, Vinod Tawde said, "The formation of a curriculum is still in process. However, its theme-based, experimental, and interdisciplinary approach will set these schools apart. Seventy teachers have been trained to teach in these schools. The schools will be functional from Anganwadi to class 3, and the students will be given a wide variety of subjects to choose from. Hundred more schools will be brought under the board by June, next year. Study material, barring text books, will be provided to the students."

The schools, which have been chosen after a long selection process, will function according to the new syllabus of international standards. Though Tawde admits that the initiative is experimental, he has pinned his hopes on it.

Positive about its success, Sonam Wangchuk, said, "Introducing experimental learning pattern in these schools will put vernacular medium schools at par with international schools."

"It is prestigious to work with renowned educationists. We will bring more experts to strengthen our curriculum. Even though the schools are Marathi medium, subjects like English and other foreign languages will be given equal importance," Tawde said.