All Telugu Medium Municipal Schools to Be Converted to English Medium, Says AP Government

In a shocking move, the Municipal Administration Department of Andhra Pradesh has issued orders to convert all existing Telugu medium municipal schools to English medium. The GO No. 14 issued on the night of 2nd of January will be brought into immediate effect, irrespective of the student or teacher strength, as notified by the Principal Secretary, R Karikal Valaven. The the class X batch of the academic year 2016-17 will however be an exception to the order.

The decision has been met with severe criticism, with teacher unions in the state condemning the unilateral move of minister P Narayana and accusing the government of being eager to submit to corporate schools. They unions opined that by taking this step, the state government has put the future of over 2.51 lakh students in jeopardy. They further stated that they would conduct massive protests at municipal offices across the state opposing the government’s decision.

AP United Teachers’ Federation general secretary P Babu Reddy questioned the timing of the government’s decision; the public exams are scheduled to be conducted in two months. He also expressed doubts about the efficacy of the decision stating that teachers in municipal schools have been teaching in telugu for years; sudden change in the medium of instruction, without any training or preparation, will prove difficult for them.

He also added that in meeting held by the state government on October 5, 2015, most participants had voted for Telugu medium in elementary schools and English and Telugu medium in high schools. The government clearly has not kept the suggestions in mind before releasing the order.

It should be noted that just a week prior to releasing the order, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, in a programme held in Vijaywada, had said that his government is committed towards promoting and encouraging Telugu culture, traditions and language.