Students prefer English medium to studying in other languages

The number of students seeking to study in English is increasing even in civic schools whereas the number opting for Marathi medium is dwindling.

The number of students seeking to study in English is increasing even in civic schools whereas the number opting for Marathi medium is dwindling.

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English medium schools are gaining popularity among Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) student’s, reveals the data accessed through an RTI application.

In the span of four academic years, from 2007-2008 to 2010-11, the number of students in Marathi medium civic schools has decreased by 2%, while a 36% increase has been observed in the English civic schools. In 2007-2008, the Marathi medium schools had 1.29 lakh students, which decreased to 1.02 lakh in 2010-11, resulting in decrease of 27,048 students.

All other vernacular mediums are seeing a decline in numbers. Telugu and Tamil medium school have witnessed 37.96 and 25 per cent decline in the above period. Telugu civic schools with 5415 students in 2007-08, decreased to 3359 in the current academic year. On the contrary, English medium strength has increased from 21, 899 to 29, 808 students in the same period.

When contacted, Arvind Hire, Deputy Municipal Commissioner (Education) said, “Fewer and fewer students are opting for vernacular medium these days. Parents want their child to study in English medium.”