The government is considering reducing the marks for bi-focal courses in classes 11 and 12. According to sources, the move to reduce the marks allocated to bi-focal subjects (electronics/computer science/scooter-motor servicing) from 200 to 100 is to promote Marathi as a second language. For class 11 and 12, English is a compulsory language. However, for the science stream, students who opt for bi-focal subjects don't have to go for a second language. Hindi, Sanskrit and German are generally the options besides Marathi, as the second language.

It is not the first time that the bi-focal subjects are in trouble. In 1991-92 there was an attempt to cancel bi-focal subjects to promote Minimum-based Vocational Courses (MCVC).

In a meeting held at the Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) on Thursday, it was argued by the board officials that the idea to reduce marks allocated to bi-focal courses was an attempt towards preservation of languages especially Marathi. It is understood that the government wanted propagation of its pro-Marathi image to counter the Marathi agenda of MNS.

However, the teachers' representatives didn't buy the argument. " If the board really wants to conserve languages, why is it sticking with IT as an option for second language," asked the teachers.

According to R D Supekar, president of Pune district bi-focal vocational courses organisation, there is no concrete logic to the argument of the board. "Bi-focal subjects have provided foundation for the engineering course and are therefore popular among students. In fact, the courses were started in 1978 in the state as per the recommendations of Kothari Commission," he said. Supekar said in 1991-92 too, the government had decided to discontinue the bi-focal courses citing a reason that it was unable to increase entrepreneurship.