School Education Department – Medium of instruction – Seeking the advice from the SCERT/State Academic Authority – Orders – Issued.
G.O.MS.No. 21; Dated: 01-05-2020
Read the following:1. G.O.Ms.No.85, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, Dt: 20.11.20192. G.O.Ms.No.89, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, Dt: 13.12.20193. G.O.Ms.No.15, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, Dt: 22.03.20204. Orders of the Hon’ble High Court of A.P. in WP (PILs) 183 & 185 of 20195. G.O.Ms.No.20, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, Dt: 21.04.20206. Lr.Rc.No.ESE02/203/2020-COMMSE-CSE dated 30.04.2020 of Commissioner School Education, AP, Ibrahimpatnam.
In the reference 1st read above, orders were issued for conversion of all classes from I to VI in Primary, Upper Primary, High Schools under all managements into English Medium from the academic year 2020-21 and gradually increasing each further class from the next consequent academic years.
In the reference 2nd read above, orders were issued to implement Telugu as compulsory subject in all schools under all managements both Government and Private in the State.
In the reference 3rd read above, orders were issued to continue one school for Telugu Medium at Mandal Headquarters and to continue all minor medium schools in all managements except unaided schools in the State.
Whereas, two WP ( PIL) i.e. 183 & 185 of 2019 have been filed in the Hon’ble High Court with a prayer to set aside the orders issued by the Government vide G.O.Ms.No.81, School Education (Prog.I) Department, dated 05.11.2019 and G.O.Ms.No.85, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, dated 20.11.2019.
In the reference 4th read above the Hon’ble High Court delivered judgement in WP (PIL) 183 & 185 of 2019, setting aside the G.O.Ms.No.81, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, dated 05.11.2019 and G.O.Ms.No.85, School Education ( Prog.I) Department, dated 20.11.2019 which was set aside by the Honourable High Court, on the grounds that the SCERT which is the academic authority as per the RTE rules 2011, did not involve in the decision making under section 29(2) of RTE act leading to the decision. Also, the Honourable High court, observed that the options of the Parents were not taken during the policy decision.
In compliance with the Honourable High Court, orders were issued in the reference 5th read above to the Commissioner of School Education to ascertain choice from Parent/Guardian of the students with respect to the Medium of instruction in which they would like their children to pursue their education in the coming academic year 2020-21.
In the reference 6th read above, Commissioner, School Education has reported that as per the orders issued by the Government he has ascertained options from the 17,85,669 Parents/students against 17,87,035 Parents/students wherein 96.17 % of the total options were towards English Medium, 3.05 % opted for Telugu Medium and 0.78% opted for other minor media. While informing the above status the Commissioner, School Education has requested the Government for taking further necessary action.
In further compliance of the Honourable High Court Judgement, Government desires that the SCERT shall furnish their recommendations with regard to the issue of providing Primary Education in English Medium on the touchstone of the parameters under section 29(2) (a) to (f) read with section 7 of AP Education Act. The SCERT shall compile the reports furnished periodically if any leading to the introduction of English Medium in Primary Schools in the past. While doing so, the SCERT is requested to examine the relevant provisions of RTE Act and AP Education Act with regard to curriculum thoroughly and furnish their recommendation. The said report would enable the Government to take an informed decision on the above issue
