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| Edited By: Farah H Chitalwala |Source: DNA |Updated: Nov 19, 2013, 11:17 PM IST
Urdu medium schools will teach Mathematics and Science in English, while subjects like History, Geography etc. will be taught in Urdu. A decrease in number of Urdu medium graduates opting for higher education has led trustees to introduce the format.
From June 2009, 11 schools under the Anjuman-I-Islam (AII) banner will turn semi-English. "Our management has approved the proposal. We are awaiting approval of the state’s education department, to teach and conduct examinations for these subjects in English," said Anjuman-I-Islam's director of school education, Salma Lokhandwala.
Anjuman-Khairul-Islam (AKI) that runs 27 Urdu medium schools has consulted parents and teachers in this regard. "Some of our schools will adopt the format from June," said Sayed Dadarkar, of AKI.
Urdu academicians are also supportive. Principals of 72 out of 150 Urdu schools, in Mumbai signalled their support at the Urdu Head Masters Association's (UHMA) recent meeting "Our members have agreed to persuade trustees to let us turn semi-English," said general secretary of UHMA, Mohammed Aslam.
Ideal Academic Trust (IAT) and Niswat Trust will introduce the new format in a phased manner. "From the following year, Maths and Science will be taught in English, but students will continue to write papers in Urdu. Once students gain prowess over the language, we will conduct exams in English as well," said Arif Usmani, of IAT that educates 4000 students.
Maharashtra State Board of Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHE) introduced the provision allowing vernacular schools to turn semi-English long ago. "However, Urdu medium schools have refrained from adopting this system," said Basanti Roy, additional secretary, MSBSHE.
Teaching Maths and Science in English at the school level will enable Urdu medium students to fare better in junior colleges, where the medium of instruction is primarily English. "Knowledge of English terminology in Science subjects will help Urdu medium students gain entry into professional courses like engineering and medicine," said AII's president, Sami Khatib.
