Letters to the Editor: Medium of instruction

The significant decision taken at the Cabinet meeting of the state government on 28 July, 2022 about switching to bilingual education at elementary level in the government schools has provoked widespread criticism across the state. It has been decided that in the first phase the medium of instruction of Mathematics and Science may be switched to English in ten schools in each district from class-V to XII. But, at the later stage, English will be made mandatory as the medium of instruction of the said subjects from class- III. It means the government schools in Assam will be turned into educational institutions of bilingual medium and government schools will no longer be called Assamese medium schools. Unarguably, given the employment prospects, English offers a competitive advantage at higher education level. But, studies show that given the learning ability of the children it is best if they are taught in the vernacular medium at elementary level. Also, from the operational viewpoint, implementing English as the medium of instruction at secondary level is far better than at elementary level. Few will deny that nothing but students' mother tongue could be a useful pedagogical tool. The government needs to consider that unless students' first language skills are well-developed, maximization of their academic and linguistic performance in the second language can hardly be ensured. Even the new National Education Policy of the Central government strongly recommends mother tongue or vernacular language as the medium of instruction till class-V. It's worth mentioning that the Central government has emphasized teaching in the mother tongue or the local language till class-XII.

Moreover, there is a strong likelihood that those teachers who have low English competence, will get into a hassle while teaching in English at the primary level. Studies reveal that in most of the countries in the world, many students receiving education of Mathematics and Science in their mother tongue have achieved commendable success.

It seems the government has failed to understand the role of the medium of instruction in the learning process. It needs to be open to suggestions from the noted academicians, scholars and various students' organizations before implementing dual medium of instruction at the elementary level.

Dipen Gogoi,

Teok , Jorhat.

Indian style of democracy

The United State of America, the most powerful nation of the world, was the first democratic nation of the world. Incorporation of democracy into the Indian Constitution after the country attained independence in the year 1947 raised hopes among the common people that like the USA, India too will enjoy the fruits of democracy. According to Abraham Lincoln, democracy means "Government of the people, by the people and for the people". In reality, it is just the opposite, a system where a particular family rules a nation.

Unfortunately, of late democracy in India seems to mean "Government of the looters, by the looters and for the looters" as seen by the events taking place in Maharashtra, Delhi and West Bengal. Is India at present fit for democratic style of functioning? Waiting in anticipation for the answer!

Dr Ashim Chowdhury,

Guwahati.

Joke of the month

The other day while going to attend my office I noticed ex-APCC chief Ripun Bora along with a few party workers of his new party, TMC, staging a dharna against the BJP-led Central government on the issue of price rise and corruption. It is all right to stage protests against the price rise, but it made me laugh aloud when TMC workers along with their leaders like Ripun Bora and Sikha Sarma shouting their lungs out against the corruption issue. Initially, I thought the local leaders of TMC are protesting against their supremo Mamata Banerjee for her inaction against scamster Partha Chatterjee. Ripun Bora and his supporters should immediately fire off a memorandum to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to arrest all those involved in the Partha Chatterjee episode. It is unacceptable to shout at the top of one's voice against the others when their own home is under neck-deep corruption.

Purabi Miri,

Jakhalabandha.