Chennai: Teachers have urged the state government to consider awarding scholarships to all government school students including those studying in English medium.
While announcing the abolition of state ranks, the department of school education has said that it would award scholarships to Tamil medium students and also will have broader considerations like academic performance and special talents.
Though the announcement was largely welcomed by parents, teachers and educationists, some teachers said all the students studying in government schools including of those in English medium should be considered for scholarships.
A teacher from the city school has pointed out that many toppers in government schools are from the English medium.
“These students are from poor background. They need help for their higher studies. So, they also need to be considered for scholarships,” he said. K.R. Gayathri from Presidency Girls Higher Secondary has secured 1,150 out of 1,200 in plus 2 and came as a topper in the school. But her father who works as a car driver does not have resources to support her higher education.
Another topper, S.Parveen Nisha (1,178) from Government Girls Higher Secondary in Ashok Nagar was also studied in English medium. Her father is an auto driver. Government schools in Ashok Nagar and Virugambakkam have more students in English medium than in Tamil medium. Many students are from poor families. “We understand the government’s decision to encourage Tamil medium students. But, all students from government schools also need to be encouraged,” another teacher said.
“The state government itself has started English medium in many government schools in 2012-13. Now, all primary, middle and high schools have at least one section in English medium. So, all students from government schools should be considered for scholarships,” said Sami. Sathyamoorthy, state president, Tamil Nadu High and Higher Secondary Schools Headmasters Association.
