We Dalits definitely need to learn English as our primary language. Before language zealots from all communities assail me let me say that I am not opposed to learning ones mother tongue. That comes by default. By learning a regional language you can compete in that region with members of that region. However, the competitive gap widens because of English.
Language zealots in all states push for their respective language and give their kids education in English. When it comes to English only Dalits get left behind. This is typical of the language medium schools. Most Dalits go to schools run by the state government and because the states insist that their language be given priority most of these government run schools are in the regional language medium. In Tamil Nadu, most government schools are Tamil medium. Even there, caste discrimination exists. On getting out of school, even with reservation in place students educated in regional language feel like fish out of the pond in colleges where the language of study predominantly is in English.
A Tamil Nadu Dalit cannot converse with a UP Dalit because they cannot speak a common language. Many have argued that that common language could be Hindi. But that is again, pushing Dalits into the India bucket. English allows us to compete outside of India as well. So why compete in India, why not compete in the world?
So, Dalits should lobby hard for these schools to be converted to English medium. Regional language can be made mandatory. Everyone will learn it. However, it is better if education is imparted in English. Language zealots cannot and must not divide the downtrodden.
Language zealots in all states push for their respective language and give their kids education in English. When it comes to English only Dalits get left behind. This is typical of the language medium schools. Most Dalits go to schools run by the state government and because the states insist that their language be given priority most of these government run schools are in the regional language medium. In Tamil Nadu, most government schools are Tamil medium. Even there, caste discrimination exists. On getting out of school, even with reservation in place students educated in regional language feel like fish out of the pond in colleges where the language of study predominantly is in English.
A Tamil Nadu Dalit cannot converse with a UP Dalit because they cannot speak a common language. Many have argued that that common language could be Hindi. But that is again, pushing Dalits into the India bucket. English allows us to compete outside of India as well. So why compete in India, why not compete in the world?
So, Dalits should lobby hard for these schools to be converted to English medium. Regional language can be made mandatory. Everyone will learn it. However, it is better if education is imparted in English. Language zealots cannot and must not divide the downtrodden.
