Education In English Medium Must For State Development:YS Jagan

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy strongly defended the State’s decision of introducing English as the medium of instruction in Government schools and told that many senior leaders have been criticising unnecessarily on the GO issued to change medium of instruction from Telugu to English in Government schools. “In order to eradicate poverty, students should get jobs and for that English as medium of instruction is important for them,” said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the 132nd birth anniversary celebrations of freedom fighter and first union education minister Dr Moulana Abul Kalam Azad at A-plus convention hall in Vijayawada and conferred APJ Abdul Kalam Education Awards to teachers and students which carry a cash reward of Rs 20,000, a tab and a citation.

The Chief Minister said that the nation celebrates the birthday of Abul Kalam Azad as National Education Day, and in 2008, Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy had announced that November 11 would concurrently be observed as Minorities Welfare Day. “Dr. Moulana Abul Kalam Azad served as Union Education Minister for 11 years and he had set up many Boards, Commissions and Societies in Central Education system. Though the medium of instruction would be English, Telugu or Urdu would be made a compulsory subject in government schools,” YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said.

The state’s illiteracy rate has been 33 % against the national rate of 27% and such a situation can be tackled only if focus is more from primary education which is the reason why we have introduced English medium from Class 1 to 6 and the batch go on escalating with every passing year and there will be a level playing field when the students come out of schools and colleges.

Education is the biggest asset we are going to give to the generation next which will shape them into future citizens, ready to go into the competitive world. When we announced the introduction of English medium there was criticism from Chandrababu Naidu, Venkaiah Naidu and actor Pawan Kalyan. Taking a dig at them he said, that they should introspect if they are they sending their children and grandchildren to English medium schools or Telugu medium schools. ‘Education in English is the right of all sections and we have done that by introducing English medium,’ he said.

The Government will launch Nadu-Nedu scheme on November 14 in which 15,000 schools would be renovated in the first phase. “Every school will be provided with amenities and infrastructure including toilets, compound walls, furniture, fans, and blackboards,” said the Chief Minister. English labs will be introduced in all government schools.

The Chief Minister assured that the implementation of the welfare scheme “Amma Vodi” where Rs 15,000 will be given to mothers sending their wards to school will start from December or January. “Revolutionary changes will be made in Higher Education. One-year apprenticeship will be introduced in all courses. Fee reimbursement will be provided in higher education and Rs 20,000 would be paid to students for hostel and mess charges” he said.

The Chief Minister asked time till March 2020 to implement YSR Pelli Kanuka scheme and also to increase the wages of Mouzams and Moulanas. Deputy Chief Minister Sheikh B Amjad Basha, Minister of Education Adimulapu Suresh, Minister of Endowments, Vellampalli Srinivas, and other officials attended the event.

Also See: Pictures| APJ Abdul Kalam Vidya Puraskar Awards Presentation Ceremony In Vijayawada