In a significant decision, the Rajasthan government has decided to introduce Hindi-medium classes in Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools.
Bhajan Lal: The Bhajan Lal Sharma government in Rajasthan has taken a major decision that will give a new direction to the state's education system. Now, Hindi-medium students will also have access to education in Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools. This will directly benefit children who want to study in their mother tongue, Hindi, but were being deprived of education due to the lack of Hindi-medium schools in their area.
A Historic Step Towards Equality in Education
This decision by the state government will promote equality and inclusivity in education. Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools, which until now were operating only for English-medium students, will now be run in two shifts. The first shift will have English-medium classes, while the second shift will hold classes for Hindi-medium students in the same premises. The main objective of this decision is to provide relief to students living in rural and semi-urban areas who had limited opportunities to study in Hindi medium.
Why Was This Step Necessary?
The former Congress government had opened 3737 Mahatma Gandhi English Medium Schools in the state after 2019. During the establishment of these schools, old Hindi-medium schools were either closed down or converted into English-medium schools in many places. As a result, students studying in Hindi medium in many areas had to either go to schools far away or drop out of studies altogether. To change this situation, the education department, after a thorough review, decided that wherever Hindi-medium schools do not exist, the existing Mahatma Gandhi schools will be run in two shifts.
Education Minister Provides Detailed Information
Rajasthan's Education Minister, Madan Dilawar, said that this decision has been taken with the aim of promoting education in the mother tongue. "Every child has the right to receive education in the language of their choice. We do not want any student to have to leave school simply because there is no school of their preferred medium in their area." He said that in those Gram Panchayats where only English-medium schools exist, Hindi-medium education will now be conducted in the same school premises.
Application Process Has Already Started
Former Education Minister Vasudev Devnani also praised this initiative, saying that parents will now have a b option to educate their children in their mother tongue. He appealed to parents to contact the nearest Mahatma Gandhi school and enroll their children in Hindi medium. The state government has issued instructions that the admission process for Hindi medium should be started soon in the concerned schools.
Doors are Reopening for the New Session
The new academic session has started from July 1st. There is a new opportunity for children who have not yet taken admission in school, or who could not go to school earlier due to the medium of instruction. The education department has clarified that this change will not affect the academic level of any school, but rather both mediums of students will benefit from it.
New Model Will Be Implemented Only in Select Areas
The Education Minister also clarified that this decision will not be applicable to all Mahatma Gandhi schools in the state. This model will be implemented only in those areas where there is no option left for Hindi medium. This means that where Hindi-medium schools already exist, Mahatma Gandhi schools will not be run in two shifts.
Who Will Benefit?
- Students from rural areas who want to study in their mother tongue.
- Parents who prefer Hindi over English medium for their children.
- Educationally backward areas where dropout rates increased after the implementation of English medium.
