SC quash AP Government’s order of compulsory English in Public Schools

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has refused to stay the order of the High Court to quash the Andhra Pradesh government’s order.  The Andhra Pradesh government’s order was to make English medium compulsory in all government schools from classes one to six.  However, the apex court citing the reason said, it is necessary for children to learn in their mother tongue for the foundation.

Senior advocate KV Vishwanathan on behalf of Andhra Pradesh appeared before a bench consisting Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice V. Ramasubramanian. KV Vishwanathan, said that the High Court order affects the poor and the deprived. He quoted a survey saying that 96 % of the parents want to teach their children through English medium.

On this, the bench said that India is the only country where children are taught in foreign languages and there is a difference of opinion among experts about the medium of instruction. Vishwanathan stressed that the English language is necessary for advancing and opportunities in life. If the person is proficient in English language then there is no limit to the opportunities. He said that he knew such lawyer friends from Tamil Nadu who studied in the mother tongue and now they have trouble arguing in the top court because they think only in the mother tongue.

On this argument, the Chief Justice said that this example is not appropriate in this case and it is necessary for the foundation of children to learn them in their mother tongue. Viswanathan said, he meant that the lack of proficiency in English could be an issue when compared to those studying in private English medium. He informed the court that the option to read through Telugu medium should not be taken away. The bench said that it would hear the appeal of the state government next week.