No conversion of Urdu schools into English medium: Dy CM

VIJAYAWADA: Deputy Chief Minister for minorities Amzath Basha Shaik Bepari has made clear in the state legislative council on Friday that the medium of instruction in no government school was being converted from Urdu to English. "We have no such plan," he said.

He was replying to queries from MLCs Issac Basha, Shia Mohammad Iqbal and Mohammad Ruhulla during Question Hour on details of welfare schemes being implemented for minorities and the total amount spent.

The deputy CM said the present government spent Rs 21,756.69 crore towards welfare between 2019-20 and 2022-23.

When PDF MLCs alleged that the state government was not providing any welfare to the minorities and using them as vote bank, the deputy CM listed out a series of welfare measures being taken up for the benefit of minorities.

Some MLCs raised apprehensions that the state government was planning to introduce English as a medium of instruction in Urdu medium schools. The deputy CM made it clear that the state government was not having any such plans.

He said the state government was giving top priority to minorities, given the fact that he was one of the five deputy CMs from minority community, and four MLAs and four MLCs including woman deputy chairperson for the Council were also from the minority community.

He said the state government had introduced a sub plan for the minorities for the first time in the state and was even providing financial aid to those who intended to take up Hajj.

He said that the state government was planning to set up residential schools and study circles for minorities to help them pursue education and get good jobs.