Schoolkids script their own ‘English‑medium’ success story

New Delhi: In a quick turnaround after TOI highlighted concerns over English-medium sections being discontinued in Classes XI and XII in Delhi govt schools, a govt school in Seelampur has introduced an English-medium Class XI section, with nearly 50 students enrolling within days.The development has come as a relief to students who had been demanding the continuation of English-medium education beyond Class X. One of the students who had campaigned for the change said the school had initially refused to create such a section, citing low demand.“We were told very few students wanted to study in English-medium and that it was not feasible to start a separate section,” she said. However, after students raised the issue and sought legal assistance, the school reviewed its decision.The student said the response from classmates showed that demand had existed all along. “Within two days of the section being introduced, over 50 students opted for English-medium. The students were always there; they just didn’t have the option,” she said.She added that following the intervention, officials visited the school to verify arrangements, and that similar demands raised by students in other govt schools were also being examined.Education activist and advocate Ashok Agarwal, who has been pursuing the issue with the Directorate of Education, welcomed the development. “Students who wanted to study in English-medium in Class XI raised their voice and the school created the section,” he said, adding that the case underscored the need to protect students’ right to continue education in their chosen medium.The development comes days after students, parents and teachers raised concerns over the discontinuation or merger of English-medium sections in several govt schools, particularly in northeast and east Delhi. In many such schools, separate English- and Hindi-medium sections are offered till Class X but are merged in senior classes due to staffing constraints and lower enrolment in specific subject combinations.Students have alleged they were being told to either attend Hindi-medium classes or seek admission elsewhere if they wished to continue studying in English. Parents and teachers warned the practice could affect students’ confidence, communication skills and academic performance.“In Class XI, students choose different subject combinations—science with maths, science without maths and so on. If only 20 students opt for a stream in English-medium while 30 choose the same stream in Hindi-medium, the school merges the sections and assigns one teacher. Those who want to continue in English-medium are left with few options. For many, the only option is to leave,” a parent said.Following the complaints, a letter was written to the Directorate of Education seeking an inquiry into the discontinuation of English-medium sections and urging authorities to ensure students are able to continue their studies in their preferred medium without disruption.