Opinions Remain Split About English as the Medium of Instruction in Municipal Schools

While the state government is all geared up to introduce English as the medium of instruction in municipal schools from the upcoming academic year, opinions still remain divided about the same.

The state government has begun consultations with stakeholders for the introduction of English as the medium of instruction. They had issued a GO about the introduction in January itself but had kept it in remission in lieu of the opposition received. But with the new academic year fast approaching, consultations have begun with stakeholders in schools in GVMC.

While the meetings are reportedly being conducted by the Mission for Elimination of Poverty in Municipal Areas; the decision of the government is still awaited. The consultations commenced with Nehru Municipal School and so far eight meetings have been held. The process is to be repeated all over the state and expected to be completed by April 23. After the consultations, reports will be sent in to the government.

Parents are the one who’ve reportedly first opposed the introduction of the medium in all classes at one go in high schools. They believe Class X should be exempted as it would be a difficult switch for students who have so far only studied via Telugu medium. This would lessen the burden on them for the important board exam. They also believes textbooks and in English and Telugu both should be provided to students between Classes VI and IX and for those below and in Class V, parents want both the medium to run on a parallel level till they’re used to it.

Teachers union however has opposed the move as they believe the choice of choosing the medium should be left to the parents and students.  District president of United Teachers’ Federation YARK Prasad believes that the medium of instruction up to Class V should be in Telugu and after that, both mediums should be offered. He believes if students are forced to study only in English medium till Class X, they will be left only with the choice of joining corporate colleges as they will have to study further in the same medium and government colleges in municipal areas mostly offer Telugu medium only.

State Teachers’ Union district general secretary E Paidiraju also believes both mediums should be offered at both primary and high school level with the decision left with parents and students to choose. But, the number of students have gone up in SUCCESS schools after the introduction of English as the medium of instruction.