Feb. 10: The minister for secondary education, Mr Kolusu Parthasaradhi, said on Thursday that the government is planning to introduce English medium education in the government schools from the first standard and asked the higher education officials to prepare a detailed report on the pros and cons over the implementation of the proposal.

He said demand for English medium education is growing in the state over the years and emphasised the need for introduction of reforms in the state to maintain transparency and to strengthening the education system. He reviewed the progress of education, implementation of mid-day meals and reforms to be made in the education at the zonal level meeting at the sub-collector’s office on Thursday. Officials from Krishna, Guntur and West Godavari districts attended the meeting. He said lakhs of families in the state are spending a large amount of money for the education of their children in the corporate and other private schools. Mr Parthasaradhi regretted that though the government is spending a lot on school education the results were not satisfactory.

He said corporate and some private schools are exploiting the parents by collecting huge amounts of fee and asked the education department officials to discuss the ways and means to prevent it. The minister said, “A large number of children belonging to weaker sections are suffering due to the corporate education in the state.” He said the government schools are facing tough competition from corporate institutions and emphasised the need for transforming the education system to meet future challenges.

He said it is pitiable that the government schools are not gaining the confidence of the people in spite of spending massive budgetary allocation. He asked the officials to develop infrastructure and provide amenities in the government schools. He praised the services of senior teachers working in government schools. Principal secretary Mr D. Sambasiva Rao, secondary education commissioner, Mr R. Satyanarayana and additional director, Mr Ch. Pullaiah were among those present.