Madhurima
AMARAVATI: In a setback to Jaganmohan Reddy government, Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday put aside its orders to make English medium compulsory in all state-run schools.
While striking down the govt. Orders (GOs), the court ruled that the medium of instruction should be as per the preference of the kids and their parents.
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The government has issued two GOs for the conversion of all government schools into English medium schools from the academic year 2020-21.
The GOs were challenged in the high court through various Public Interest Litigations (PILs). Two BJP leaders had also challenged the orders.
A division bench, comprising chief justice J.K. Maheshwari and Justice N. Jayasurya had reserved the orders in February.
The government's move had sparked a row over the issue with a section of academicians, opposition parties and various people's groups opposing the introduction of English because the medium of instruction replacing Telugu or Urdu.
Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu had also opposed the thought and favoured teaching in the first language at the school level. Leader of Opposition N. Chandrababu Naidu and actor-politician Pawan Kalyan had also strongly opposed the move.
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Chief Minister Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy had defended its move saying it's aimed towards ensuring quality education to children from weaker sections of the society and prepare them to compete with others. He had asked Venkaiah Naidu, Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan and other leaders to oppose the move only if their children or grandchildren didn't attend English medium schools.
