Pressure to excel in English is causing higher dropout rates in government schools. The government should focus on improving opportunities for poor people to increase the literacy rate. It is important to give equal importance to every mother tongue, not just English.
On International Literacy Day, teachers expressed concerns about the extensive use of English as the medium of instruction in schools. They believe that English is one of the main reasons why dropout rates are increasing at the high school level. According to official data, the literacy rate in Telangana this year is 66.54%, which is lower than the national average of 72.98%. In rural areas, the literacy rate is even lower at 57.30%. The dropout rate in primary education is zero, but it is 3.1% in secondary education and 13.7% overall, with boys having a higher dropout rate than girls.
The emphasis on English in corporate schools can create a language barrier for students from government schools, making it harder for them to access higher education and job opportunities. Corporate schools often have better resources and trained teachers, resulting in government school students receiving a lower-quality education. This disparity affects their literacy skills. To improve the literacy rate, state governments should invest in teacher training, curriculum development, and ensure equal access to quality education in multiple languages.
The pressure to excel in English can lead to higher dropout rates in government schools, contributing to lower literacy rates. This can exacerbate socioeconomic inequalities, as students from wealthier backgrounds have easier access to quality English education. To address these disparities, state governments should invest in teacher training, curriculum development, and ensure equal access to quality education in multiple languages.
The unequal approach to English language education in different types of schools can impact literacy rates by exacerbating disparities and perpetuating inequality. Last year, the state government abruptly imposed English as a medium of instruction, causing difficulties for students. This year, there has been a minimum enrollment of students in intermediate. To improve the literacy rate, it is important to give equal importance to Telugu language or any other mother tongue. Literacy is important for farmers to understand new trends in farming and the effects of pesticides and fertilizers. The government should focus on providing better opportunities for poor people to improve the literacy rate and create a better future for all.
