In a 2016 report by Cambridge University, it was found that speaking in English is one of the top skills employers search for while hiring. This is the case globally. Hence, in India, if someone knows English, their chances of getting hired increases immediately.
Keeping this in mind, the Andhra Pradesh government has made it compulsory for all government and private undergraduate degree colleges to become English-medium. According to TOI, this is to come into effect from the academic year 2021-22.
According to an India Skills report from 2019, English is one of the top 3 skills Indian employers look for in employees, besides adaptability and learning agility.
Out of the 2.62 lakh students who have taken admission in colleges in Andhra Pradesh, 65,981 have taken admission in Telegu-medium colleges. However, the state government is of the opinion that their decision is bound to benefit the students, reports The Indian Express.
Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to make 'English Medium’ compulsory across all government, private aided and unaided degree colleges in the state from the academic year 2021-22: Chief Minister's Office
(ANI) pic.twitter.com/HQK4N7SNbw
— NDTV (@ndtv) June 15, 2021
However, people online were left divided by this decision. While some called the move a “disrespect” to the mother tongue, others lauded the decision.
Disrespect for mother tongue. Choice shld be left for students…
— SK (@KumarS4u) June 15, 2021
No. Next generation will be more dumb. He is expecting that teachers will suddenly switch to a language they dont know like magic. It will be English medium only in name.
— కార్తీకేయ | Karthik 🇮🇳 (@karthikck31) June 15, 2021
There won’t be any Telugu educators or speakers after few years if this gets implemented.
— Bolo G (@dat_noiz) June 15, 2021
many people can debate on the language thing but what they cannot deny is that ‘English’ is spoken in most of the countries … so if we want to go global then this is a must.
— kunal sethi (@kunsethi) June 15, 2021
Its a great step towards modern education system,
I think it should be implemented all over the country so that the whole country can connect with modern education system.— Vishwas (@vishwas_dtruth) June 15, 2021
I have seen many Kannada/Tamil people fighting to protect their language & culture. Their Govts are giving employment benefits for students studying in mother tongue.
How shameless AP govt to ban Telugu mdm and ppl with no self-respect are supporting it. https://t.co/sz90aeSHSU
— Nageswar Reddy (@NationalistSays) June 15, 2021
Great initiative @ysjagan.@AndhraPradeshCM..many ppl from Andhra who are good in technical skills don't go up the corporate ladder due to lack of English vocabulary. Some can't even get decent jobs even after PG https://t.co/qnPPDfTTCi
— Samuel Manohar (@democratsam007) June 15, 2021
What do you think of the Andhra Pradesh government’s decision? Tell us.