In yet another amendment to the controversial issue of medium of instruction in municipal schools in the State, the Municipal Administration wing has decided to continue Telugu medium sections parallel to English medium sections from classes 1 to 10 in the schools run by it.
Sources in the department said a GO on continuation of Telugu medium had to be issued owing to pressure from a section of teachers and teachers’ unions while a major chunk of parents want their children to study only in English medium.
The department conducted a survey last year in urban slums in cities which revealed that most parents, especially mothers, wanted their kids to study in English medium schools since they could not afford high fee in corporate or private institutions.
Based on their keenness, the department issued a GO asking all municipal schools in the State to embrace English as the medium of instruction.
But the decision did not go down well with a few teacher MLCs, teacher unions and other teacher representatives who questioned the authorities and, in orderto avoid possible rupture, the department issued a fresh GO stating that Telugu medium would be an option made available to those who want it.
94% opt for English medium
“This year, we have only 6% of students in Telugu medium from classes 1 to 5 as 94% of them have embraced English as their medium of instruction. Next year, it will further go up,” says K. Chittibabu, consultant to the education wing of the Municipal Administration department.
The municipal authorities say a majority of parents seeking admission for their children in classes 1 to 5 want English to be the medium of instruction.
Even from classes 4 to 10, only the first generation kids, whose parents have never gone to school and therefore do not find any support from home, are forced to opt for the Telugu medium, they said.
The anganwadi centres that the department has transformed into model pre-schools are now the focal areas from where children will be enrolled in class 1 (English medium schools). “Telugu medium will continue to exist as an option and Telugu language will continue to be mandatory in municipal schools that are aiming to be centres of excellence in the days to come,” said Mr. Chittibabu.
