Assam Cabinet's decision to teach Maths and Science in English draws flak

 Joint meeting of AXX, AASU, BSS and ABSU held

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Cabinet's decision to teach Science and Mathematics in English language instead of Assamese, Bodo or other vernacular languages and to not provincialize any more venture schools has drawn flak from the Axam Xahitya Xabha (AXX), All Assam Students' Union (AASU), Bodo Sahitya Sabha (BSS) and the All Bodo Students' Union (ABSU).

The Assam Cabinet had recently decided that Science and Mathematics would be taught in English in all government schools from Class III till Class XII instead of the present practice of teaching them in Assamese, Bodo or local languages. It was also decided that dual medium of instruction would be introduced in government schools, model schools will be converted to English medium schools under the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and in every constituency, English-medium schools affiliated to the CBSE would be established.

A joint meeting of the AXX, AASU, ABSU and BSS was held today in which the organizations slammed the Cabinet's decisions, which they claimed would have a detrimental effect on the education sector in Assam. They termed these decisions as 'unscientific', 'illogical' and 'unnecessary'. They unanimously said that if implemented, these decisions would push Assamese, Bodo and vernacular medium schools to the brink of destruction. The organizations added that these decisions were contrary to the National Education Policy, 2020 which encourages education, particularly at the primary level, in the mother tongue.

AXX president Dr Kuladhar Saikia said, "Teaching in the mother tongue helps in clearing concepts. The government's emphasis should be on imparting training to teachers to teach better in vernacular languages. Importance should be given to improve the infrastructure of vernacular medium schools to improve enrollment."

BSS president Toren Bodo said, "The Cabinet's decision not to provincialize any more venture schools goes against Clause 6.3 of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) Accord signed in 2020. If this decision is implemented, the BSS and the ABSU will be answerable to the people of BTR."

"The government's argument that Mathematics and Science should be taught in the English language to ensure better performance by our students in all-India competitive examinations does not hold any ground," ABSU president Dipen Boro said. "To preserve and protect Assamese, Bodo and vernacular languages, vernacular medium schools must be developed," he added.

Opposing teaching of Mathematics and Science in English, AASU chief advisor Samujjal Bhattacharya said, "Mother tongue is the best language to learn these subjects, especially at the primary level. The government's justification that they want to make students proficient in the English language through this decision is not acceptable. If they want to do so, thrust should be on teaching the English language properly," he asserted.

The organizations demanded the State Government to immediately withdraw its decisions. It was decided in the meeting that a joint memorandum in this regard would be submitted to the Chief Minister, a discussion would be held with teachers' organizations from primary level to university level, a meeting would be held with ethnic organizations and an educational conclave would be organized.

Also Read:   Assam CM Directs School Dept To Introduce English As Medium of Instruction For Science, Maths

Also Watch: