Some time back I had read an interview given by daughter of well-known Malayalam writer, M.T. Vasudevan Nair (winner of Janpith award) that she was not able to read and appreciate the works of her father as she had studied in an English medium school and as such her command over Malayalam is very poor while her father was crying hoarse from stage to stage (and in every conceivable forum) about the "demise of Malayalam language and the culture of Kerala!
So language and culture is only meant for the poorest of the poor of the state while the rich and powerful send their children to Doon School or even to other countries for study!
A have great respect for Dr Ananthamurthy as a writer. I would be glad if any one can enlighten me whether he had sent his children to English medium schools or the Kannada medium schools.
RE:Double standard of the so-called intellectuals
by R A Sharma on Apr 30, 2008 01:57 PM Permalink
I think that now-a-days it has become difficult in many localities to find good non English medium schools. All good schools hv converted to English medium ones for earning more profit.
RE:Double standard of the so-called intellectuals
by JGN on Apr 30, 2008 02:12 PM Permalink
The mushrooming of English medium schools is a recent phenomena (not more than 20-25 years). Still the majority of schools in our Country are teaching in the local languages.
A week back or so I had read a report in the News Papers that there are more "places of worships" in Karnataka than "Schools" The condition in other states also may not be much different! So we are wasting our time and money on futile exercises rather than imparting quality education.
RE:Double standard of the so-called intellectuals
by R A Sharma on Apr 30, 2008 02:35 PM Permalink
Agreed about the last sentence. As regards schools in local languages, mostly they r government schools. Though teachers there get good salary, now-a-days their standard has gone down due to various reasons (there is a vicious circle due to these reasons).
RE:Double standard of the so-called intellectuals
by JGN on Apr 30, 2008 03:11 PM Permalink
That is not the only reason. Now it is a "dog eat dog" world and every one wants their children to excel in life. So most of the people are rushing to English Medium Schools.
May elder son's two children had studied upto 10th in vernacular medium schools and both are now Computer Engineers (one already employed under Campus Selection) and the second one persuing his MCA.
Education in English medium only gives a head-start over those studying in vernacular medium but has really no significance after 12th std.
The Govt Schools in Kerala are still better compared to the schools in other states.
