Parents urge State government to reconsider enforcing mandatory Telugu language policy in schools

Expressing concerns over mandating learning Telugu language in all schools in the State, parents urged the State government to reconsider the decision and allow students the freedom to choose what they want to learn.

In an email sent to the Chief Minister’s Office and Education Department on Saturday, a parent Runa Nandy said enforcing Telugu as a mandatory second language could create difficulties during board exams, particularly for families who frequently relocate to different States.

“For instance, students entering Class IX with no prior Telugu instruction would face immense pressure to achieve proficiency and pass the board exam in Telugu. It is hard to imagine how these students can master the language sufficiently to compete with peers who have studied Telugu since Class I,” said



Nandy

Stating that several parents like her prefer their children to have the option to study Hindi as a second language, Nandy urged the Education Minister to reconsider enforcing the mandatory Telugu language policy.

The government recently issued an order mandating implementation of Telugu as a compulsory subject for students of Classes IX and X studying in CBSE, ICSE, IB and other Board affiliated schools in Telangana.

As per the memo issued by Education Department Secretary Dr Yogita Rana, Telugu as a compulsory subject would be mandatory for Class IX and Class X students from the academic year 2025-26 and 2026-27 respectively.

To enhance non-Telugu native speaking student’s interest in the language, Telugu would be taught in a simplified manner through ‘Vennela’, a simplified textbook.