Teaching of Science & Maths in English: Edu Minister meets students & literary bodies

Aug. 18: The Assam Cabinet in its meeting on 28 July, 2022 decided to introduce dual medium of instruction from Class VI to XII in Assamese and vernacular medium schools under the State Government. The school authority will be at liberty to introduce English medium without abolishing Assamese or vernacular medium. It was further decided that five to ten schools in each district shall be identified for introducing dual medium and number of such schools shall be increased gradually depending on outcome of the move.

Since then, this proposal of teaching Science and Maths in English medium in the vernacular schools has invited sharp criticism from opposition parties, student bodies and some literary associations of the state. It is in this backdrop that Education Minister Dr Ranoj Pegu on Thursday held a meeting with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Bodo Students’ Union, Asam Sahitya Sabha and Bodo Sahitya Sabha.

In the discussion held on Thursday, these key groups reiterated their decision and urged upon the state government to roll back the decision. Later on, expressing his views, Education Minister Dr Pegu said, “The introduction of English as a medium for teaching Science and Maths won’t hamper Assamese and other languages as students will continue to study them as subjects. The discussion was elaborative and we will sit for the next round of discussion within a month again.”

On the other hand, AASU chief adviser Samujjal Bhattacharjya said, “The meeting remained inconclusive. We have demanded for safeguarding our mother languages at any cost keeping the competitive atmosphere in view.”