YS Jagan’s Educational Revolution…English Medium triumphs over political opposition

A Vision for Equality
In 2020-21, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s YSRCP government introduced English medium education in Andhra Pradesh’s government schools, ensuring Telugu remained a mandatory subject. This bold reform, backed by 93% of students and parents, aimed to democratize quality education for the underprivileged, aligning them with global opportunities. The move sparked a political storm, with the TDP-led opposition branding it as an assault on Telugu culture.
Opposition’s Political maneuvering
The TDP, led by Chandrababu Naidu, alongside Janasena’s Pawan Kalyan and other allies, launched a fierce campaign against English medium education. They accused Jagan of undermining Telugu, resorting to:
● Legal challenges: Filing court cases to block the policy.
● Misinformation: Using “yellow media” (TDP-aligned outlets like Eenadu) to spread false narratives about the death of Telugu.
● Public protests: Staging demonstrations and shedding “crocodile tears” over Telugu’s supposed decline.
Their rhetoric ignored the aspirations of poor students, who sought English-medium education for better job prospects. The opposition’s actions were seen as an attempt to preserve elite privilege, ensuring only their children accessed quality education.
Key opposition statements
● Nara Lokesh (22.11.2019): “I support English medium but believe the mother tongue must continue.”
● Pawan Kalyan (21.10.2023): “Our first case in power will target English medium. We’ll also challenge TOEFL and IB systems.”
● Chandrababu Naidu (30.08.2024): “English for jobs, Telugu for life. Primary education must be in Telugu.”
● Chandrababu Naidu (12.07.2021): “YSRCP is dismantling Telugu Academy and conspiring against Telugu.”
Hypocrisy of the Elite
The opposition’s stance reeks of hypocrisy, as TDP and Janasena leaders’ families exclusively pursue English medium education, often in prestigious institutions:
● Nara Lokesh: Educated at Stanford, his son studies in Hyderabad’s English medium schools.
● Pawan Kalyan: His children attended Oakridge International School, with one studying in Singapore.
● Galla Jayadev (TDP MP): His sons studied in the US.
● Rammohan Naidu (TDP MP): Educated in Hyderabad and Delhi’s English medium schools, with degrees from the US.
This double standard exposes their opposition as a political ploy to deny quality education to the poor while securing electoral gains by exploiting Telugu sentiment.
Overwhelming public support
Recent data and surveys underscore the public’s embrace of English-medium education:
● 2024-25 Academic Year: 91.3% of Class 10 students (5,11,645 out of 5,60,364) chose English medium, compared to 8.06% (49,519) for Telugu medium.
● Parental Demand: 95% of parents prefer English medium, citing its role in securing better career opportunities.
● National Surveys: 91% of Class 10 students nationwide favor English medium, reflecting a broader trend.
Academic Outcomes
● Pass Rates: English medium students achieved an 81.14% pass rate in 2025 Class 10 exams, averaging 83.2% marks, compared to 59% for Telugu medium students.
● Historical Shift: From 2001-02 (18.17% English medium) to 2024-25 (91.3%), English medium preference has surged by 73.13%, while Telugu medium dropped by 71.85%.
YS Jagan’s Transformative Reforms
Jagan’s government addressed the systemic neglect of government schools, which had driven students to costly private institutions. Key initiatives include:
● English Medium Rollout: Phased implementation from Classes 1-9 between 2020 and 2023-24.
● Nadu-Nedu Program: Modernized 44,000 schools with facilities like clean water, toilets, smart TVs, and interactive panels.
● Ammavodi Scheme: Provided financial aid to mothers to support education.
● CBSE Alignment: Introduced international curricula to prepare students for global competition.
These reforms reversed the decline of government schools, which saw 1,785 closures before 2019 due to lack of English medium options.
Chandrababu’s Legacy of Neglect
Under Chandrababu’s TDP regime (2014-19), government schools were systematically undermined:
● School Closures: 6,000 schools shut under “rationalization.”
● Neglected Infrastructure: No toilets, drinking water, or timely textbooks.
● Mid-Day Meal Woes: Bills and staff salaries delayed for 6-8 months, with workers paid a meager ₹1,000.
This neglect pushed students toward private schools like Narayana and Chaitanya, aligning with TDP’s apparent agenda to privatize education.
Yellow Media’s Role
TDP-aligned media outlets, such as Eenadu and Andhra Jyothi, fueled misinformation, exaggerating the “threat” to Telugu while ignoring parental demand for English medium. Their biased reporting created a fear-driven narrative, sidelining the needs of poor students.
A People’s Victory
The public’s resounding support for English medium education vindicates Jagan’s vision. Despite the TDP-led coalition’s attempts to reverse these reforms, students and parents recognize English as essential for global competitiveness. The opposition’s propaganda has failed, and the public is poised to hold leaders like Chandrababu accountable for their obstructive tactics.
National Media Highlights
● 2024-25 Data: 91.3% of Class 10 students opted for English medium, signaling a sharp decline in Telugu medium preference.
● Globalization’s Impact: Parents view English proficiency as critical for job market success.
● Court Battles Persist: Despite ongoing legal challenges, English medium’s popularity remains unshaken.
Conclusion
YS Jagan’s English medium reform has reshaped Andhra Pradesh’s education landscape, empowering marginalized students with access to world-class education. The opposition’s politically motivated resistance, rooted in hypocrisy and misinformation, has been exposed by the public’s overwhelming support. Jagan’s legacy endures, proving his reforms were not only visionary but also aligned with the people’s aspirations for a brighter future.