Khairunnissa, a parent and president of the School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) of the Government Higher Primary School in Kasba Bengre is at her wits end, with Deputy Director of Public Instruction Walter D’Mello directing immediate closure of English-medium classes of LKG, UKG and class 1 of her school and 18 other government schools in the district.
The order passed on May 17, just 12 days before the start of the new academic year, has put at stake the future of nearly 300 students, who studied in English-medium entire last year, she says.
This follows objection to opening English-medium classes in the pre-primary section in some government schools by Chairman of Kannada Development Authority S.G. Siddaramaiah.
Mr. D’Mello has issued the order for immediate closure of these classes, since they cannot be allowed in government schools as per the State’s policy. He had directed the Block Education Officers to submit a report of compliance of his order by May 20 (Saturday).
19 schools impacted
This order will have impact on 19 government schools where the SDMC members and social organisations, who have adopted the school under the Namma Shaale scheme, have started English-medium classes. Thirty other government schools were set to start LKG and UKG classes in English-medium from this year.
Prakash Anchan, president of Durga Friends Club that has adopted the Government School in Daddalkadu in Bantwal, calls this decision “arbitrary”.
