After requests from parents and students, Eklavya schools to go English medium from Class 9

NESTS introduces English medium in Eklavya Model Residential Schools from Class 9 to enhance academic standards and prospects.

After multiple representations from students of the Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) and their parents, the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) has issued a circular introducing English medium of instruction in all EMRS from Class 9, beginning the next academic session (2025-26).  

However, there won’t be any change in the medium of instruction for Classes 10 and 12 in 2025-26.

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The EMRSs had been set up by the government to provide quality education to students belonging to the Scheduled Tribes. At present, there are 477 functional EMRSs across the country.

While the Eklavya schools in States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and some in Chhattisgarh say that they have been following English medium, schools in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh are using Hindi as the medium of instruction.  

Some of the teachers, principals, and district officials in Rajasthan and Jharkhand told The Hindu that transitioning to English would be a challenging task that might take three to four years to take effect. They said there was a “huge aspiration” amongst the parents to see their children learn a global language like English.  

Sources added that NESTS had received multiple representations from parents and students in States such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, requesting English medium of instruction. They also highlighted that not all EMRSs had teachers who could teach in English.