Linguistic minority schools in dilemma over compulsory Telugu

Hyderabad:The Telangana government’s decision to make Telugu a compulsory subject in all schools, including CBSE, ICSE, and IB institutions, has left many unaided private and minority-run schools uncertain about what comes next.

According to the order issued on Tuesday, students in Class 9 will have to study Telugu from the 2025-26 academic year, with Class 10 following in 2026-27. While officials insist the rule applies across the board, questions remain about how it will be enforced in institutions that have traditionally managed their own language policies.

Private schools, particularly those catering to diverse linguistic backgrounds, are weighing the impact of the change. An IB school in the city noted that Telugu has long been offered as a third-language option alongside Urdu, with most students choosing it since it is widely spoken. The school will now need to introduce an additional Telugu subject, which would require adjustments to its curriculum and teaching resources.

Concerns are more pronounced among minority institutions, where language policies have historically been shaped by constitutional provisions. The 2018 Telangana (Compulsory Teaching and Learning of Telugu in Schools) Act suggested that all schools, including those run by minorities, must introduce Telugu. However, some argue that Articles 29 and 30 of the Constitution, which allow minority communities to manage their own educational institutions, could provide grounds for exemption.

Activist Lubna Sarwath described the decision as an unnecessary imposition in a multicultural environment. “A city like Hyderabad thrives on linguistic diversity. Language should be a choice, not a restriction. Education works best when taught in one’s mother tongue,” she said. Madrasas, she pointed out, have no formal regulatory board. “That should come first before trying to introduce Telugu in such institutions.”

She recalled helping a student who had studied entirely in Kannada medium until Class 10. The student had been reluctant to continue her education in a different language, and it took considerable effort to find an intermediate college that offered Kannada. “If Telugu were forced on her, she might have given up on studies altogether,” she added.

While some institutions remain cautious, others see value in the decision. Adil, an Imam at a madrasa in Attapur, supported the move and called Telugu an essential language for daily life. “It helps in communicating with the locals. I believe it should be learnt,” he said. However, he raised concerns about logistics. “Are teachers going to be provided by the government? Will their salaries be covered? There needs to be clarity.”

English-medium schools account for a large share of institutions in Telangana, but they are not the only ones affected. Schools teaching in Kannada, Marathi, and Urdu will also have to make room for Telugu in their schedules.