Bengaluru: A significant increase in admissions to government-run English medium schools has been reported, with parents across Karnataka, including Bengaluru, increasingly opting for these institutions. Data from the School Education and Literacy Department reveals that 54,000 children were admitted to Grade 1 in government English-medium schools this academic year.
Kalaburagi leads with 3,481 admissions, while Bengaluru South follows with 3,272. The trend is surprising given the availability of private and budget schools, especially in Bengaluru, which boasts a high number of private educational institutions. Officials are puzzled by this preference, noting that some parents are willing to send their children to schools located 10 km away rather than opt for nearby Kannada-medium schools.
In response to rising demand, the Congress government has significantly expanded the number of English-medium schools, approving over 1,400 new institutions in just one year, a major increase from the 2,404 schools permitted up to the 2023-24 academic year. Despite receiving over 1,800 applications, the department has only approved schools that meet criteria for adequate staffing and student numbers.
Senior officials recognize that offering bilingual education (English and Kannada) is crucial for attracting students and sustaining government schools. However, the surge in admissions raises concerns about the future of Kannada-medium schools. Educationists, such as V P Niranjanaradhya, caution against imitating private English-medium schools without considering the broader implications.
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