Jaipur, January 07, 2025.
Former CM Ashok Gehlot on Sunday said Rajasthan was the first to experiment with govt-run English-medium schools and expressed concerns over “the idea of closing these schools”. Deputy Chief Minister Prem Chand Bairwa, who heads the ministerial committee on these schools, responded by saying the review process aims at identifying areas for improvement where necessary.
“The idea of closing English medium schools is beyond comprehension. Rajasthan was the first to experiment with this, and everyone appreciated it. Private schools charge fees of around Rs 40,000-Rs 50,000. However, in these govt schools, education is free. In these (govt English medium) schools, children speak in English,” said Gehlot, adding that the counsel CM Bhajan Lal Sharma was receiving from his advisors are “beyond comprehension”.
While expressing his love for Hindi, the ex-CM said the time now was also for English (jamana Angrezi ka bhi hai). “Where will the children of the poor go? Teaching English to children living in rural areas was a significant decision. This is also the age of English education. Now, AI has also come. The scheme (of govt-run English medium schools) was introduced so that the state’s children could compete at the national and international levels. I am disappointed that a review has been initiated on this,” said Gehlot, adding that the state govt is now being run “through publicity and promotion”.
After Gehlot’s comments came, Bairwa said, “We have formed a review committee, and its purpose is to assess and determine where improvements are needed, and where not. Many schools in my area have requested that English be removed as no one studies it there. They have opened English medium schools. But do they have English teachers? There are no teachers. Therefore, after the review, this committee will work towards the better future of our children as per what the parents want.”
