Need spoken English in Tamil medium govt schools, says Madras High Court

Chennai: The Madras high court on Monday expressed its hope that the state government will bestow its full attention for introduction of spoken English course to students studying in Tamil medium in government schools.

A division bench comprising justices M. Sathyanarayanan and P. Rajamanickam directed authorities concerned to file their counter affidavits and posted to December 6, further hearing of a public interest litigation filed by former MLA M. Appavu, also a retired school teacher, which sought to direct the state government to introduce spoken English as a compulsory subject and Mazhalayar Classes (LKG and UKG) in all Tamil medium government, aided and un-aided schools in Tamil Nadu.

The bench said this court, taking note of the fact that English is a linking language for communication outside the state as well as outside the country, hope and trust, the government will bestow its full attention for introduction of spoken English to students, who are studying in Tamil medium, in government schools. The authorities are directed to file counter affidavits by December 6. “In the facts and circumstances of the case, the Director of State Council of Education, Research and Training, Chennai, is impleaded suo motu as a respondent”, the bench added.

 According to Appavu, as per the education policy in the state, Tamil was taught as the first language and English was taught as second language from Class 2 to 12 in Tamil medium government, aided and un-aided schools. Though English was taught, a student even after successfully completing plus two with very good marks, he/she could not speak or understand if communicated in English and there was a difficulty for these students in communicating or writing in English fluently and this difficulty causes practical problems for the students when they pursue professional courses and other degree courses in various institutions as they have to learn in English and the classes were conducted only in English, he added.

 He said in respect of the students who pursue school education in English medium under matriculation and CBSE schools, after completion of their school studies when they pursue professional courses or any degree courses in English medium they find it very easy to understand, communicate and mingle with other students as well as with faculty and they have an edge when compared to the Tamil medium students from the state board. These Tamil medium students could not fare well in the professional courses because of their lack of communication skills, more particularly in spoken English. This inability continues even in work places, he added.

 He said similarly there was no LKG and UKG classes in the state board schools but starts only from first standard and this has resulted in loss of enrollment in primary schools in state board. Due to poor enrollment in state board, about 1,311 primary schools were functioning with less than 10 students and about 3,400 primary schools were functioning with less than 15 students.

If it was allowed to continue, all the state government schools will be closed one day and the education will go to the hands of private. Hence, it was very much necessary to introduce Mazhalayar classes (LKG and UKG) in all primary schools run by state government to avoid closure of schools, he added.