Rural India’s struggle with English medium school

I am a high school teacher and a MSW (Masters of Social Studies) student. I am not against English or English Medium schools, never-the-less I feel that English medium in Primary section is not very effective in rural areas. The rural Indians struggle with foreign language. Here is my experience working in a rural Indian school.

A good number of parents sacrifice much of their comforts to educate their children in English medium schools, with high expectation that they may have a bright future. Many parents and students like the dress code especially tie and shoes. After all you do not find these in Government schools. They don’t mind the extremely hot summer days. Long power failure is usual in this area and there is no generator at the school. Many a times the students use their tie as a handkerchief to beat the heat.

Few parents boast that their children study in an English medium school. In other words, they are very happy when their children speak in English. This makes me wonder: why do these students and parents blindly imitate western culture? Is it to maintain a pseudo status in the society? Majority of teachers do not use English as a primary language in classrooms even though it is an English medium school. In other words, they speak in English but their grasp of the language is not up to the minimum standard. A shocking reality is that there are many students in Class IX & X who do not know how to write their names in English. The overall development of the school library and computer lab is proceeding at a slow pace.

This led me to conduct a survey. Here are the Background Scenario/ Questions that led to the survey.

1. Why majority of students from Class IX & X standard are unable to maintain a minimum standard in English, though they have been studying in an English medium school for many years?
2. Why do the parents from a village/ agricultural background toil to send their children to English medium schools paying a high tuition fees as opposed to getting free education in a Government school?
3. Do students have access to the different forms of media at home?
4. Does access to information enhance the learning skills?

Survey

This survey was conducted in Goalpara school. It is an English medium school in Goalpara district in Assam. Most of the students are from the lower-middle-class economic background. About 95% of students are from village settings. It is a multi-tribal area and major tribes are Rabha and Boro. Assamese, Nepalis, Bihari, Garo etc. are the other groups.

The Secondary objectives was to monitor the accessibility or the availability of newspaper, computer, TV etc. at students’ homes. The survey results will play a significant role in the development of the school library and the computer lab. The School Management is interested in fostering the growth and development of their students.

Challenges

The main challenge that we face are to teach in a medium which is not native to the students. Along with this how can students be motivated to inculcate reading habits? Also how can students be initiated to browse the headlines in a newspaper? If the reader has suggestions and ideas then please do share them using the comments section. Any help would be deeply appreciated.