AASU protests against the government's move to teach math and science in English

Digital Desk: The All Assam Students' Union (AASU) held a statewide protest on Saturday against the state education department's move to begin science and maths education in English in government-run vernacular medium schools.

The distribution of science and maths textbooks in English for Class VI pupils has generated controversy in the state, as the new academic session began on April 1.

During the district headquarters protests, Aasu warned the government not to go ahead with the proposal.

According to the state's leading students' union, it is a plot to "destroy" Assamese, Bodo, and all other vernacular medium government-run institutions. 

Members of AASU clashed with police in Guwahati while attempting to stage a protest gathering from the Assam Engineering Institute playground. Authorities put up barricades to stop the protesters.

"The Assam government must reverse this unscientific decision and refrain from meddling with the educational medium. Let it remain the same. Instead of such an attempt, if the government wants children to be fluent in a foreign language, it should improve English education, according to AASU president (in-charge) Utpal Sarma. 

According to the AASU organisation, the introduction of the 'hybrid mode' conflicts with the National Education Policy, which emphasises the mother tongue. Instead of changing the language of textbooks, Aasu requested that the government familiarise students with crucial words in English.

As per sources, the government's move is part of a larger strategy by the state government to teach the two subjects in English up to Class XII, as determined by the state cabinet earlier. 

According to reports, the notion may be reproduced in other classes beginning with the upcoming academic term. On Saturday, hundreds of Aasu members marched through Dibrugarh town, raising chants against the government and demanding that the decision be reversed.

Bulbul Dutta, president of the Dibrugarh district AASU unit, led the protest, saying, "This is a stupid and short-sighted decision by the state government that will spell the end of vernacular language schools."