Why in News ?

The Supreme Court refused to stay the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order striking down the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy government’s decision to make English the medium of education for government school students from Classes I to VI beginning 2020-21 academic year. Andhra govt’s English medium move stayed by HC. 

Court Observation

• Section 29(2)(f) of the Right to Education (RTE) Act says that the medium of instruction shall, as far as practicable, be in a child’s mother tongue.
• RTE Act does not bar English medium instruction in schools, and there is no restraint on private schools or minority institutions from having Telugu medium.
• The court observed that the government decision was Unconstitutional and against RTE Act. 

Legal Provision

• Section 29 : Curriculum and evaluation procedure
  • The academic authority, while laying down the curriculum and the evaluation procedure under sub-section (1), shall take into consideration the following, namely:
    • Section 29 (f) : medium of instructions shall, as far as practicable, be in child’s mother tongue;

Constitutional Provisions

The government decision is a violation of Articles 14, 21 and 21-A of the Constitution.

Article 21 (a) : To provide free and compulsory education of all children in the age group of six to fourteen years as a Fundamental Right in such a manner as the State may, by law, determine

• Article 29(1) : The Constitution Of India 1949. (1) Any section of the citizens residing in the territory of India or any part thereof having a distinct language, script or culture of its own shall have the right to conserve the same.
• Article 350A : It shall be the endeavour of every State and of every local authority within the State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother-tongue at the primary stage of education to children belonging to linguistic minority groups. 

Why Andhra govt’s English medium move ?

• Introduction of English medium is a progressive decision
• Due to non-availability of English medium in government schools, the parents were forced to send their children to the private schools spending huge money
• Helpful for higher studies and global communication. 
• A survey conducted by the government revealed that 95% of students and parents wanted English as the medium of instruction.

Issues with English medium ?

• Affect the regional language or mother tongue.
• Children learn better and faster in a language they can understand, also easy to teach other language if he/she can understand mother tongue. 
• Mother tongue develops a child’s personal, social and cultural identity.
• Parents those who cannot understand English can also participate in by helping with homework and can participate in school activities

Source :  Indian Express

Topic

GS II : Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation

Current Affairs Compilation : 5 September 2020