The English-Only Myth

Abstract

The first section of this overview starts by briefly sketching the state of the school education system in India. We then note that English-medium private schools are often not much better than government schools (whether English-medium or not). The second section argues that English-medium education in India must be seen in the larger context of a mother-tongue-medium education. Englishmedium-only education in India gives poor educational results, and it increases social inequalities. The way forward lies in a mother-tongue-based multilingual education that includes English.

Colonization and English ideologies in India: a language policy perspective

“…In this manner, ''Englishmedium education widens social fractures in Indian society by creating and reinforcing a social, cultural, economic, and discursive divide between the Englisheducated and the majority'' (Faust andNagar 2001: 2878). Thus, while reports indicate that there was a 274 % spike across English-medium institutions between 2003 and 2011 (Roy 2014), the kind of English acquired at many such schools, in fact, has led to the reproduction of old socio-economic stratifications (Annamalai 2005;Bhattacharya 2013;Mohanty 2006Mohanty , 2010Proctor 2015;Rao, 2013). It is against this unequal English educational backdrop that this present investigation unfolds.…”

Analysis of Higher Education in Indian National Education Policy Proposal 2019 and Its Implementation Challenges

“…Table 1 lists the objectives of all 17 SDGs. 12 Goal 12: Responsible consumption, production Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 13 Goal 13: Climate action Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 14 Goal 14: Life below water Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources 15 Goal 15: Life on land Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss 16 Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies (Peace, stability, human rights and effective governance based on the rule of law are important conduits for sustainable development.) 17 Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development (The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can only be realized with a strong commitment to global partnership and cooperation.…”

“…The fee structure is subsidized from government and is very low 20% students who have high academic and research calibre will get free education and 30% students in each course will get 50% discount in the fee during entire duration of the programme. 12 Single department colleges will be expanded as multi-department college through government support…”