36 govt schools switch to English medium from Nov 1
While a debate is still on in academic and Education department circles over introduction of English medium in primary education, following the Supreme Court direction to provide primary education in mother tongue, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has implemented English medium in many State government-run higher primary schools in Davangere.
Sources in the DPI told Deccan Herald that English medium had been introduced for Classes 6 and 7 students in 36 government higher primary schools in the hobli and taluk headquarters in the district.
Of the 36 schools, English medium was implemented on November 1 in five government higher primary schools in the Davangere South division, six in Channagiri, seven in Davangere North, four in Harihar, six in Honnali, five in Harapanahalli taluk and three in Jagalur taluk.
The Joint Commissioner of Public Instruction has issued a circular in this regard.
Sources said the State government had taken the decision following demands from parents and people from all walks of life to start English medium education at the primary level.
Curbing donation menace
According to sources, English medium education in government primary schools will help curb the rampant donation menace in private schools.
The other objective of the government is make education in English affordable for poor students in rural and semi-urban areas.
The move will also help 20,000 students of 36 higher primary schools in Davangere, the sources said.
The Department of Public Instruction has directed headmasters of these schools to conduct classes in batches, and form separate sections.
Classes will be conducted by the existing teachers in the department who have completed their primary and high school in English medium.
Their expertise will be utilised to teach core subjects — science, maths, social sciences — and other subjects in English and the local language, the sources added.
Textbooks
The department has made arrangements to supply textbooks in English to all the 20,000 students in the 36 schools.
It has also directed the authorities concerned to obtain parents’ permission before enrolling the children in English medium.
SDMC nod mandatory
Deputy Director of Public Instruction B A Rajashekhar told Deccan Herald that permission from the School Development Monitoring Committee (SDMC) was mandatory to start English medium in government higher primary schools.
There are provisions for other government primary schools in the district to start English medium, but they should pass a resolution and get it endorsed by the SDMC. A minimum of 100-student strength is a must for starting English medium.
The department said it planned to start English medium in more schools next year following a demand from the SDMC members and headmasters of government schools.
Higher studies will not be a problem for English medium students who pass out of government higher primary schools because the government is already imparting education in English in high schools and composite colleges in all the taluks of the district, the sources added.
