Hyderabad: Quite a lot of controversy was going on of late, both in the political and social circles, on the decision of the Andhra Pradesh Government to introduce English as a medium of instruction in the schools; and even academicians are divided over it, some stoutly opposing it and others totally supporting the move.
The protagonists of English medium have come out in support of the Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s strong argument that English medium is a must to equip the students to get employment opportunities in the country and also abroad, as mere subject matter knowledge is not at all enough to compete with those who have strong foundation in English language. The creation of employment opportunities to the educated youth is one of the prime functions of any government and hence it has to take decisions and measures needed to make the youth face the challenges for securing jobs. Those in favour of English were also pointing out that while wealthy people, political leaders, industrialists, and big businessmen were getting their children educated in private English medium schools and getting good jobs for them, the poor and the weaker sections who constitute majority of population are deprived of this facility as they could not afford to educate their wards in private schools paying high fees. They also feel that denial of English medium education to the common people is a conspiracy of the rich sections.
The antagonists of the English medium, however, are contending that the introduction of the English medium would pose a great threat to the survival and development of Mother Tongue (Telugu). An analysis of the arguments put forth by the Chief Minister and the protagonists of English, however, makes it clear that while the English medium is a must, other measures can be taken to protect and promote Telugu. The plea that the English medium would cause irreparable damage to Mother’s tongue is baseless and misconceived. It is not difficult to overcome the problem posed by the English medium if only the people are really interested in the protection and promotion of Mother’s tongue. First and foremost, the effort should start with the family, as mother and father are the first Gurus. Every Telugu family should take the responsibility of protecting Telugu and enriching it, by stopping ‘mummy, daddy, uncle, aunt’ culture and encouraging the kids to speak in Telugu while at home and also with the neighbors. The parents should encourage and force their children abroad also to promote the Mother’s tongue.
Also the State Sahitya Academy, Telugu Academy, Official language Commission, the Sangeeta Nataka academy and other cultural organizations should shoulder the responsibility of protecting and promoting the Mother tongue, by various means like organizing contests in Essay writing, songs, music, devotional music, elocution and giving prizes to the winners, which would prompt the youngsters to learn and promote Telugu. The fact that some of the Telugu dailies, Weekly, and magazines, as also the TV channels are doing their bit to promote the Mother’s tongue and hence. If proper steps are taken at home and in other places, there will be no danger to the survival of Telugu, as feared by some sections. The Government and local bodies should also take steps to see that Telugu boards are displayed at all the shops, business establishments, Hospitals, eateries, Railway stations, bus stations, etc.
It may be pointed out in this context, that when Osmania University had introduced Urdu as a medium of instruction in the erstwhile Hyderabad State, Telugu, Kannada and Marathi languages continued to survive, as the people took it upon themselves to protect their respective mother tongue.
