Students cite the inability to understand lessons taught in Hindi; parents join the protest
Team Clarion
KHANDWA — A wave of discontent has swept through the Government Urdu School in Pardesipura in Madhya Pradesh’s Khandwa district, as over 100 female students launched a protest against the appointment of a Hindi medium teacher. The students, who have been studying in Urdu since their early education, are struggling to understand the lessons delivered in Hindi, prompting them to demand Transfer Certificates (TCs) from the school administration.
The protest, which took place on Monday, saw the students formally submitting a written application to the school authorities, requesting their TCs so they could seek admission elsewhere. The core of their grievance lies in the language barrier, as they are accustomed to learning all subjects in Urdu. The recent appointment of a Hindi medium teacher has made it difficult for them to keep up with their studies.
“We have always studied all subjects in Urdu, and now that we have a teacher who instructs in Hindi, it’s impossible for us to follow the lessons,” one of the protesting students explained. “If we had a teacher who could teach us in Urdu, it would be much easier for us to continue our education.”
Sheikh Younis Khan, the in-charge principal of the school, confirmed the students’ demands and acknowledged the difficulties they were facing. “The students are asking for a teacher who can teach in Urdu, which is essential for their understanding. The current situation, where a Hindi medium teacher is teaching Urdu medium subjects, is causing significant challenges for them. We have already informed the education department about the students’ complaints, and several students have requested their TCs due to this issue,” he stated.
Parents of the affected students have also taken a stand, accompanying their children to the office of the District Education Officer (DEO), PS Solanki, to submit a memorandum that outlines the gravity of the situation. One concerned parent voiced the community’s frustration: “This is an Urdu medium school, and it is only logical that the teachers should be able to instruct in Urdu. Our children are struggling to understand the subjects because of the language difference, and this is affecting their education negatively.”
DEO Solanki assured both the students and parents that their concerns would be addressed urgently. “We recognise that this is an Urdu medium institution, and it is crucial that the medium of instruction is aligned with the students’ needs. I will prepare a detailed report and forward it to the higher authorities in Bhopal for further action,” he said.
The protest has drawn attention to the broader issue of language barriers in education, particularly in regions with a diverse linguistic population. The students’ demands reflect the challenges that arise when the medium of instruction does not match the linguistic background of the learners. The situation in Khandwa’s Government Urdu School is a poignant reminder of the need for educational policies that cater to the linguistic needs of all students, ensuring they receive the support required to succeed in their studies.
As the students and their families await a resolution, there is hope that the administration will take prompt action to address the issue, thereby preventing any disruption in the education and preserving the integrity of the Urdu medium schooling system in Khandwa.