Not many children in this school are aware their institution is on the derecognition list for violating the medium of instruction norms. Most of them hail from middle or lower middle-class families and there is a zeal in them to achieve something big in life.
As the debate on the medium of instruction continues, Deccan Herald visited a school, which is on the derecognition list, to interact with the main stakeholders in the controversy - children.
Located in one of the crowded bylanes of Nandini Layout, Nandini Public School is considered by local residents as a good school. Residents of the nearby Parimalanagar,  Kareemanagar and Lakshmidevinagar send their children here.
Students were selected at random from various classes (Class II to VII) and they had no clue what this reporter would be asking them.

Unanimous opinion
A spontaneous and unanimous opinion emerged among students that they would prefer to continue to study in English medium and had no regrets for having opted the stream.
They said they would have an added advantage studying in English.
When asked whether it is not easier to study in their mother tongue, most students hesitated, thought it over ..... but finally voted for English.
Like most children their age, they want to become engineers or doctors. Kannada is very dear to them, they would prefer watch Kannada movies or Kannada entertainment channels than English.
Reaction from the youngest among the lot first - Deepika (Class II) - says studying in English will help her become an engineer. 
Her father, who runs a tea shop in Nandini Layout, too would have “become an engineer had he studied in English,”she says. Who told her that? She says it’s the opinion in her house!

Way for easy life
Jeetendra, a Class V student, is from Rajasthan. His mother tongue is Hindi, but feels studying in English is the way for an “easy life”. His father is an electrician who could not complete his schooling.
“I do not want to lift heavy weights like him. It’s too difficult,” he says.
His younger brother, Vijayaraj (Class III), does not mind studying in the medium of his mother tongue (Hindi).
“Yes, it is easy to understand,” he says and in the same tone, says studying in English medium will help him settle anywhere in the world.

Only way
Rahul Patil (Class VII) is from Bidar. Science is his favourite subject and he feels only with sound English language skills can he pursue his dream of becoming a doctor.
Padmashree (Class VI) was told she would get free education if she opted to study in a government Kannada medium school.
She would get free textbooks, uniform, mid-day meals and a bicycle as a bonus when she enters high school. What will she opt for?
There is on hesitation in her reply. “English medium, sir.”