The Times of India - Delhi 19.08.2009
MCD plans English medium schools
NEW DELHI: The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), has decided to introduce English as the medium of instruction in one school in each of its 267 wards. These schools will be called Pratibha Nigam Vidyalaya.
"A number of middle and lower-middle class parents are finding it difficult to send their children to public schools due to their higher fees. We want to provide an alternative system of education that is at par with public schools. The MCD will also provide free mid-day meal, uniform and textbooks to the children in such schools,'' said Prithvi Raj Sawhney, chairman of the education committee of the MCD.
A proposal in this regard will be tabled in the standing committee meeting of the MCD which will take place on Wednesday.
The civic agency imparts primary education to 9.5 lakh students through its 1,746 schools. "One school has been chosen in each ward after consultations with deputy education officers (DEOs) and area councillors, keeping in mind factors like the student strength, infrastructure and number of teachers. A total of 40 students will be enrolled in such schools in Class I through draw of lots.''
Beginning next year, this process will be initiated in one batch in a chosen school in each ward of MCD and if everything works out, according to Sawhney, MCD will try to introduce English as a medium of instruction across all schools.
The civic agency has also decided to train the teachers and equip its existing staff in teaching through English medium. The civic body will soon begin a special training programme for its teachers to enable them to teach in English. "We have enough teachers and many of them are already equipped to impart education in English,'' added Sawhney.
"A number of middle and lower-middle class parents are finding it difficult to send their children to public schools due to their higher fees. We want to provide an alternative system of education that is at par with public schools. The MCD will also provide free mid-day meal, uniform and textbooks to the children in such schools,'' said Prithvi Raj Sawhney, chairman of the education committee of the MCD.
A proposal in this regard will be tabled in the standing committee meeting of the MCD which will take place on Wednesday.
The civic agency imparts primary education to 9.5 lakh students through its 1,746 schools. "One school has been chosen in each ward after consultations with deputy education officers (DEOs) and area councillors, keeping in mind factors like the student strength, infrastructure and number of teachers. A total of 40 students will be enrolled in such schools in Class I through draw of lots.''
Beginning next year, this process will be initiated in one batch in a chosen school in each ward of MCD and if everything works out, according to Sawhney, MCD will try to introduce English as a medium of instruction across all schools.
The civic agency has also decided to train the teachers and equip its existing staff in teaching through English medium. The civic body will soon begin a special training programme for its teachers to enable them to teach in English. "We have enough teachers and many of them are already equipped to impart education in English,'' added Sawhney.