Removing English from Schools
India’s prominent board of education, CBSE, has decided to make English an optional language in schools. The schools can now opt for three Indian languages. For example, Kerala can teach Sanskrit, Hindi, and Malayalam. Which they won’t ever do, of course. Most schools won’t give up English simply because English is the global language today. It is the world’s principal language of science, technology, diplomacy, aviation, and international business. Indian professionals have enjoyed a competitive advantage because many graduate with functional English. Weakening that advantage could reduce India’s global competitiveness. There is a big irony in CBSE’s new order. A lot of BJP leaders and their children have benefitted from English education. Some prominent examples: § S. Jaishankar (Minister of External Affairs): Attended the Air Force School in Subroto Park, Delhi, followed by St. Stephen's College and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). § Piyush Goyal (Mi...
