Students from Marathi medium schools can now learn subjects like maths and science in EnglishIn order to bring down the number of students opting for English medium schools, Marathi medium schools have introduced bio-media courses, where subjects like science and maths will be taught in English.

Says Ashok Nar, secretary of Vidyabhavan High School in Dahisar (E), Parents want to admit their children in English medium schools because they feel that their kids tend to lose out a lot if they study in a vernacular language. So we have decided to introduce a semi-English medium curriculum in our school.

He continues, The bio-media course has been introduced from Class 6 onwards. However, from the next academic year, Class 5 students will also be allowed to opt for bio-media courses.

The number of students in Marathi medium schools has gone down. With the introduction of this course we hope to reverse the trend, adds Nar. He also claims that not a single Marathi medium school has opened in Borivli in the last 10 years.

Apart from Vidyabhavan High School, Suvidya Prasarka Sangh, another Marathi school, has also introduced bio-media courses. Says Chitra Kulkarni, principal of Suvidya Prasarka Sangh, The bio-media course has been introduced from Class 7 onwards and now there are plans to introduce the course from Class 5.

Apart from the bio-media course, the school also organises classes in conversational English. Once students pass out from Class 10, they should feel confident while conversing in English with others, says Kulkarni.

She further adds, We had to introduce the changes in order to counter the competition from English medium schools. As of now, there are only 217 students in Class 5 as compared to 300 to 350 students just a few years ago.

manthan@mid-day.com

300-350
The approximate number of children in any standard of a English medium school

217
The approximate number of children in any standard of a Marathi medium school