As many as seven government schools in the district have started teaching in English medium this year. While three schools have started English medium of instruction from class six, there are four government schools that have started teaching in English medium from class eight.
Even as the Deputy Director of Public Instructions has written to the Commissioner of the Department seeking permission to commence English medium classes, the schools have gone ahead with the plan expecting approval from higher-ups.
The reason for opening the English medium has been to arrest the drop in the number of students in the Government schools who were opting for English medium in the private schools in the vicinity.
Among the schools were the Government Secondary School, Manchikolnadu, and Government Higher Primary School, Shambur, both from Bantwal, which have started English medium from class eight. Block Education Officer, Bantwal, Sheshashayana, said there has been good response from students admitted to both schools.
Mr. Sheshashayana said the response was not so encouraging in Government Primary School, B. Mooda, which has started English medium from class six. He said only two new students enrolled in class six, while 14 students passed out from class five of the same school. There are three Government schools in Puttur division imparting education in English medium. Of them, Government Higher Primary Schools in Hantyaru and Belanduru had commenced English Medium since last year. The Government Higher Primary School, Shiradi, is offering English medium from class six from this academic year. The Government Higher Primary School from Kantya in Moodbidri has started English medium this year from class eight.
According to Block Education Officer, Puttur, G.S. Shashidhar, teachers appointed to the Higher Primary School have to conduct classes in English medium for class eight. In case of class six, services of English teachers can be taken, but the cost has to be borne by School Development and Monitoring Committee.
DDPI has sought permission to commence
English-medium classes
Schools have gone ahead with the plan
expecting approval from higher-ups
