State model schools say no to classes in English

Hemali Chhapia I TNN

Mumbai: This could well be India’s version of the ‘Speak Good English’ movement that was launched by the Singapore government at the turn of this century. Finally picking up the grammar of what most people want, states across India will conduct classes in English in the 6,000 model schools that will start lectures from 2010. Maharashtra, however, will be an exception, with the state keen to promote Marathi instead.

Referring to the notes sent by states for the upcoming Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) meeting, Union HRD minister Kapil Sibal told this paper, “Most states want to impart education in these schools in English.’’ Maharashtra, however, refuses to accept change. Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil, state school education minister, said that model schools in the state will conduct classes in Marathi.

While permitting each state to decide the medium of instruction, the Centre, in a note circulated to state governments, had said that “special emphasis must be given to science, math and English’’ in the model schools. Though Sibal refused to comment on Maharashtra’s plan, he added, “What language a school should teach must be decided by the parent and the child; that cannot be decided by a government diktat.’’

HRD ministry source said, Maharashtra has not yet submitted its plan regarding the model schools to the Centre and has been asked to do so by September 15. Data collated by the government’s National University of Educational Planning and Administration has noted that the student population in Marathi-medium schools has declined from 119.61 lakh to 117.95 lakh, whereas enrolment in English-medium schools has gone up from 11.91 lakh to 15.02 lakh over one year.

The trend is more pronounced in the state’s capital. If there are 4.31 lakh students in Marathi-medium schools in Mumbai, there are currently over a lakh more—5.57 lakh children—in the city’s English-medium schools. Despite that, Vikhe-Patil said the model schools that will come up in the state will teach English as a subject, but the medium of instruction will be Marathi.

Model schools were planned as a means of reviving excellence in public schooling. Punjab, Himachal, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, UP and J&K, Haryana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, MP, Meghalaya, Andhra, Tripura and Bihar have so far sent their proposals to the Centre. Most have informed the Centre that they would instruct students in English.

ON THE CARDS

In November 2008, the UPA government announced the idea of setting up 6,000 model schools (of which 2,500 will be set up on Public Private Partnership basis) that are to act as examples for other schools in the area. Apart from Sikkim, Goa, Delhi, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Chandigarh and Daman and Diu, all states that have educationally backward areas will have one model school per block. By the HRD ministry’s estimates, each of the new model schools will require around Rs 3 crore to be set up, apart from recurring expenditure for maintenance

Model schools will have adequate Information Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and internet connectivity

The teacher-pupil ratio should not exceed 1:25 and the classrooms must be spacious enough to accommodate at least 30 students.

These schools will be provided with arts and music teachers besides subject specific teachers as per the usual norms. These schools will also create facilities for activities emphasizing Indian heritage, arts and craft
The school curriculum should include the material/items that inculcate leadership qualities, team spirit, participation abilities, development of soft skills and ability to deal with real life situations. Health education and health check up will be introduced in these schools.

Necessary infrastructure for sports, recreation and out door activities will be provided. Facilities like play ground, gardens, auditorium etc. will be present in model schools