More corporation schools to adopt English medium

Updated on: Wednesday, September 29, 2010

With an aim to tackle the student dropout rate in Chennai Corporation schools, the local body plans to introduce English medium teaching in its primary and middle schools.

Currently, there are over 260 primary and middle schools under the Chennai Corporation. But over the years, the student strength in these institutions was on the decline. Many primary class students from these schools have also started migrating to private schools to benefit from English medium of instruction. Thus, the Corporation plans to convert some of its schools to English medium.

Earlier, the corporation had already introduced English medium in 28 schools. Now it will extend this venture to 23 primary and 17 middle schools.

"People from all classes want their children to study in English medium schools. Hence we thought of introducing the same in our institutions. It will be introduced from 1st standard," said Mayor M Subramanian.

"The demand is more for admission in middle, high and higher secondary classes in our schools. But not primary sections. We expect this to change soon," said a Corporation official.

"Though the government is insisting on promoting Tamil-medium schools, the demand for English-medium schools is greater. We have to offer what the people demand. With the proposed plan, 68 schools in Chennai will be offering English medium," said K Ravichandran, assistant education officer, High and Higher Secondary Schools, Chennai Corporation.

"It will help reduce dropouts and boost enrolment. We are planning to supply ABL cards at Rs 2000 per set to the schools. Initially, we will give out two sets per class. When this is extended to four subjects, that's eight sets per class," he added.

The parents from economic backward classes are happy with the move.

A fisherman in Srinivasapuram, whose son studies in 3rd standard said that he was very happy that his son would be able to get trained in English. "Now communicating in English is needed to get a job. My son used to watch English-speaking students of nearby convent schools with awe. After a few years even he will be able to converse fluently," he said.

More corporation schools to adopt English medium

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