English Medium Row: SC Shocks Jagan Govt

In a minor setback to AP state government, the Supreme Court has not considered AP government’s request to issue a stay order on the orders of the AP High Court over the government’s decision making English Medium mandatory in the government schools. The supreme court said it will consider the stay order only after going through the affidavit of respondents in the case.

Advocate KV Viswanathan, who is representing AP state government, presented the view that the attendance in government schools is coming down due to Telugu medium. He argued that making English medium mandate is progressive step of the state government. Hence he sought the apex court to issue a stay order on High Court’s orders.

Senior advocate Sankara Narayana, who is representing the respondents, informed the apex court the state government’s decision is a deathknell to Telugu medium and students who would like to study in their mother tongue.

He informed the court that the government’s decision is to “erase” the Telugu medium schools in the state which is against the spirit of Indian constitution. He sought the apex court to uphold the High Court’s orders.

Hearing both versions, the Supreme Court said it would consider the stay order only after an affidavit is filed by the respondents of the case. The apex court has issued notices to the respondents in the case. The court has postponed the hearing to Sep 25.

AP state government has earlier passed Go No. 81, 85 making English as the only medium of instruction in the government schools. The move has irked some who moved the High Court. Opposition party TDP and Janasena party have opposed the decision. YSRCP MP Raghurama Krishna Raju too opposed the state government’s decision to impose English in primary education.

Meanwhile, AP High Court opined that the GOs 81,95 were against the spirit of Indian constitution to allow students to study in their mother tongue. The High Court has asked the state government to withdraw the GOs making English mandatory at government schools.