State government-run schools in Telangana are increasingly being turned into English-medium schools, raising concerns about the impact on the promotion of the official language, Telugu. Despite Telugu being a classical language and the focus of special days like Telangana Language Day, the trend towards English education continues.
Telangana Language Day was established to honor Telugu poet Kaloji Narayana Rao and celebrate the Telugu language in the state. Rao was a strong advocate for preserving Telugu and criticized the growing influence of anglophile culture in Andhra Pradesh. He believed that promoting other languages at the expense of Telugu was detrimental to the state’s cultural identity.
Many developed countries, including China, prioritize teaching and learning in their mother tongues to drive economic growth. In contrast, the push towards English-medium education in Telangana government schools raises questions about the long-term impact on students’ ability to integrate with local communities and excel in their careers.
Despite the emphasis on English education, there is a lack of data on how many students from English-medium programs in state universities secure jobs in various sectors. This challenges the assumption that English is the only path to success for students and highlights the need to reevaluate public education policies.
While efforts like International Mother Language Day are observed in schools, there is little evidence of meaningful promotion of Telugu or the preservation of Telangana’s linguistic heritage. The shift towards English-medium education in government schools raises concerns about the impact on students’ connection to their mother tongue and cultural identity.
