The recent admission process to Chennai schools has turned out to be a revelation about the aspirations of parents in a rapidly changing society. The opening of 30 extra English medium sections in schools run by the Chennai Corporation, and the admission trends that have emerged seem to be an indicator for the public education sector in coming years.
The Corporation Council had approved the setting up 30 English medium sections in schools spread out across the city. These sections were to add to the 69 sections already functioning for the past three years. Around 2100 students were already enrolled in these 69 sections, and this year has seen a further 600 admitted.
Corporation officials say parents have been queuing up to get their children admitted to the English medium sections, after shelving their plans to send their children to private English medium schools.
The opening of English medium sections had been envisaged by the previous administration in 2009, as a way to boost sagging enrolment numbers in Corporation-run schools. The sections had been the first ever English medium sections in schools run directly by the Tamil Nadu government or by one of its arms.
Demand unmistakeable
“Interest has been high among parents. The feedback we have received also indicates that many parents would prefer to send their children to government-run schools over private schools. But there was an impediment with the medium of instruction,” says a Corporation official.
“Many councillors have sent letters thanking the Corporation administration for setting up English medium sections in their wards. Many other councillors have also given letters asking for English medium sections in schools in their wards. It is up to the top brass to decide whether more sections are going to be opened in the next academic year,” the official added.
If more of these sections are to be opened, an announcement to the effect may be expected around March 2013, and admissions may be expected to commence in June. But, there is a lot to be done before any further expansion is possible, the official pointed out. Around 50 teachers who are already working in Corporation schools, and who have majored in English, are currently being trained to handle these English medium sections. They are being given training in phonetics, language and functional grammar. More teachers would have to be trained in advance if the Corporation decides to open more English medium sections, the official said.
Roaring response in South Chennai
The 99 English medium sections that are currently functioning in Corporation-run Chennai schools have currently been distributed keeping the demand in mind. This has meant a higher concentration, as well as response, of these sections in the southern and central regions of the city. Response has been markedly lower in the northern parts according to the civic body’s statistics.
Of the 30 new English medium sections that have been opened by the Corporation, eight are in North Chennai, nine in Central Chennai and 13 in South Chennai. While the North and Central regions have seen 106 and 128 admissions respectively, the South is ahead with 375 admissions.
“There are some localities, like Jafferkhanpet, where we opened English medium sections in two schools. We were still unable to meet the demand in that area,” says an official.“But under no circumstances are we forcing it on any school, teacher, parent or students. Only those who want their children to study in English medium sections are approaching us,” the officials adds.
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