In Gurugram, around 3,000 students are set to graduate from Class 5 at English medium primary Sanskriti schools this year. However, their future remains uncertain as there is no guarantee they will be admitted to English medium schools for further education, teachers have warned.
Currently, Gurugram has 90 Sanskriti model schools offering education from Class 1 to Class 5. Until recently, these schools only provided education up to Class 3, leaving students without a clear path forward. However, the issue persists, as the city has only 10 English-medium Sanskriti schools serving students from Class 6 to Class 12. Education experts believe these are insufficient to accommodate the growing number of students. Consequently, many children may have no choice but to transfer to Hindi medium senior secondary schools.
Teachers have expressed concerns about the challenges that such a shift could create. Maya Panwala, a teacher at a primary Sanskriti school in Sector 22, explained, “The transition from English to Hindi medium can be overwhelming. These students have spent the last five years learning in English, and suddenly switching to Hindi would make it difficult for them to understand and express themselves.”
The issue is particularly evident at the senior secondary Sanskriti school in Sector 22, which has 172 students in Class 5. Vinod Shokeen, a teacher at another Sanskriti school in Sector 43, said, “Although there are senior secondary schools nearby, students are still faced with the challenge of adjusting to a different language medium. For students used to learning in English, moving to a Hindi medium school can be discouraging.”
Initially, these Sanskriti schools were designed to provide English-medium education to prepare students for national and international competition. However, economic constraints have further complicated the situation. According to Dushyant Thakran, head of the Gurugram Education Association, many of these students come from economically weaker backgrounds, often attending government-run primary schools. “Most parents cannot afford private schools after Class 5 due to high fees, which is why many students prefer to stay in government-run English medium schools,” Thakran explained.
Parents of students in English medium senior secondary Sanskriti schools have also expressed concern about the lack of sufficient schools and increasing student numbers. Divya Kumari, a Class 5 student, said, “Switching to Hindi medium will undo all the progress I’ve made in learning English. The authorities should find a way for us to continue our education in English beyond Class 5.”
The Haryana education department has acknowledged the issue and said steps are being taken to support students transitioning to Hindi medium schools. A senior official from the department stated, “We understand the difficulty of moving from English to Hindi medium, and we are committed to ensuring that no student is left out of Class 6. Due to the shortage of English medium schools, students will be placed in Hindi medium schools. Support programs, special classes, and counseling will help students adjust to this new language medium.”
The situation remains a significant challenge for students and their families, as the lack of resources and options in English medium education leaves many feeling uncertain about their future academic success.
