NIZAMABAD: The teachers of government schools in the district are in a state of despair. The spread of private English medium schools has put the government schools under severe pressure, so much so that teachers are forced to hone their English skills to meet the growing demand.
The outlook of parents of rural areas has witnessed a drastic change such that every family wants to ensure quality education for their child. This growing trend has led to a decline in student enrolment in government schools.
In these circumstances, government school teachers are luring students assuring to impart English medium education.
Teachers in the district now seem to be following the ‘back to school’ concept to hone their English language skills. Due to mushrooming of new age private schools, English medium of education has become a newfound love for the villagers.
Meanwhile, in the wake of growing demand for English medium of instruction, the education department has decided to give permission for classes up to standard I to be run in English. However, the department will not provide any financial assistance in this regard. Which means, the respective village committees and school staff should provide for text books, Vidya Volunteers and other requirements on their own.
Regarding this decision, teachers have now come to an understanding with the village committees to start English medium of instruction for classes I to V in government schools. Following this move, 300 villages have adopted a resolution for introducing English medium in existing government schools in the district and nearly 100 schools have started imparting lessons in English.
However, there has not been any official communication in this regard.
Meanwhile, in a bid to compete with the private schools in the district, teachers are going through a tough time taking lessons in English nowadays. A teacher from the district said, “We have to attend tuition and read books and newspapers and also watch English channels to be fluent in English.”
Edu Dept’s move
District Education Officer (DEO) K Lingaiah observed that starting English medium schools in the district was not a big thing. “What is more important is the sustainability of these schools,” he added.
Lingaiah recalled that during the earlier government, as many as 191 Success Schools were launched for Classes VI to X with an English medium of instruction. Of these, 64 schools closed down due to lack of teachers.
“We have decided to conduct training classes for all primary and upper primary teachers for three days every month. This will help them aqcuaint in English medium of instruction.”