There is a growing demand for English medium sections in Madurai Corporation schools. In a few schools, there is an increase in enrolment, say officials at the Madurai Corporation.
“Almost all parents who come for admission want to enrol their wards in English medium sections. The admission is still going on and is likely to be completed by the end of July,” S. Mary, Chief Educational Officer of Madurai Corporation, told The Hindu on Tuesday.
English medium section was introduced for Class VI last academic year. This year, it is extended to Classes I, VII, IX and XI.
Though a few English medium sections met with a lukewarm response last year, this year there is more enthusiasm among students and parents in opting for the medium, say authorities in different Corporation schools.
“Last year, we had only four students in Class VI in the English medium section. This year, the strength is around 40,” says R. Kannammal, Headmistress of Corporation Masathiyar Girls Higher Secondary School.
The student strength in the school has increased significantly, following introduction of the new section in Classes VI, VII, IX and XI, she adds.
“Fifteen students from various matriculation schools have been enrolled in our school this year,” says A. Esther Emma Olive, Headmistress of Corporation Thiru. Vi. Ka. Higher Secondary School. The school introduced English medium section in Class VI last year and Class VII this year.
“We are trying our best to keep up the standard of the school on a par with matriculation schools. We have instructed the teachers to converse only in English in classrooms. The students are doing extremely well,” she adds.
Some of the schools were not able to introduce English medium sections because no new appointment of teachers was made. All the schools have the same teachers handling both Tamil and English medium classes.
“We have around 600 students in higher secondary classes. To make our teachers handle additional classes would be impossible,” says the headmistress of a school which has not introduced English medium in Class XI due to this reason. “This apart, we do not have extra classrooms to accommodate English medium sections, which is another challenge,” the Headmistress adds.
