How English-to-Hindi shift in many govt schools has Delhi parents, kids in a fix

NEW DELHI: Students of several govt schools in northeast and east Delhi are allegedly grappling with the discontinuation of English-medium teaching in Class XI. The students are faced with the choice of either switching to Hindi-medium classes or changing schools as English-medium teaching is either being discontinued or those classes are being merged with Hindi-medium.

Parents, teachers and students say the move is affecting academic performance, confidence and communication skills, with some now seeking transfers to other schools.

Parents and members of school management committees said that separate English and Hindi-medium sections are generally maintained till Class X in most Delhi govt schools. “Till Class X, sections are segregated. For instance, section A will be English-medium, section B Hindi-medium and so on. This is mostly the system in all govt schools,” said a parent associated with a school management committee.

However, in Classes XI and XII, students are divided according to subject combinations. “What happens is that in Class XI, students choose different subjects such as science with maths, science without maths and so on. If only 20 students opt for one stream in English-medium while another 30 choose the same stream with Hindi, heads of schools merge the sections and appoint one teacher for all. Those who want to continue in English-medium are then left with few options. For many of them, the only option is to leave,” the parent added.

Students said the issue is not new and that they have had to struggle even earlier to secure English-medium education. “In Class IX, I was initially allotted a Hindi-medium section. I kept objecting because the school was not providing an English-medium option. After a prolonged struggle, I eventually had to take legal action, following which I was shifted to an English-medium section,” said a student of a Delhi govt school.

The student added, “Now, after Class X, the school says there are no English-medium sections for Classes XI and XII. The reality is that they simply do not continue English-medium sections anymore. Whenever I ask teachers why they are being discontinued, I am told that if I want to study in English-medium, I can seek admission in another school”.

Teachers of some east Delhi schools confirmed that separate English-medium sections are reportedly not being continued in certain schools. “In some schools, especially in Class XI, separate English-medium sections are reportedly not being continued and students are being merged with Hindi-medium sections. Most heads of schools do this so that they don’t need extra teachers and can finish the class in one classroom. Due to this, many students who have studied in English-medium till Class X are facing great difficulty,” said a teacher of an east Delhi school.

She claimed that the issue was affecting students in several schools across northeast Delhi. “This issue is being faced by students of CR Dass SKV, Seelampur, and nearby schools in northeast districts of Delhi. Students are being compelled to seek transfers.... Parents and students are deeply worried,” she said.

Education activist and lawyer Ashok Agarwal has written to the directorate of education, requesting for an inquiry into the discontinuation and merging of English-medium sections in Class XI. The letter requests for Inquiry into discontinuation and merging of English-medium sections in Class XI. “Due to this, many students who have studied in English medium till Class X are facing great difficulty in continuing their education,” the letter states.

“I request the department to investigate why separate English-medium sections are not being continued in these schools and to take necessary action so that students can continue their education in their chosen medium without disturbance. The education and future of students should be protected with proper planning and equal opportunities. I hope the department will take immediate and positive action on this important issue,” he wrote.

The DoE did not respond to queries sent regarding the matter.

Agarwal said the issue could have long-term academic and psychological consequences. “Mixing English-medium students with Hindi-medium sections affects the students’ confidence, academic performance, communication skills and overall development. Silly excuses are given to parents by teachers and heads of schools,” he said.