For many students in Delhi government schools, completing Class 10 is now bringing an unexpected challenge. Several students and parents in northeast and east Delhi claim that English-medium sections are either being discontinued or merged with Hindi-medium classes in Classes 11 and 12, leaving students worried about their future.
The issue has sparked concern among parents, teachers and education activists, with some students reportedly considering changing schools to continue studying in English.
According to parents quoted by TOI, many Delhi government schools maintain separate English and Hindi-medium sections up to Class 10. However, the situation reportedly changes in senior secondary classes.
As students choose different subject streams in Class 11, schools often reorganise sections based on subject combinations. Parents told TOI that when the number of English-medium students in a particular stream is low, schools may merge them with Hindi-medium sections instead of running separate classes.
As a result, students who wish to continue their education in English reportedly face limited options.
Some students told TOI that they had already faced difficulties in securing English-medium education even before reaching senior classes.
One student claimed that they were initially placed in a Hindi-medium section in Class 9 and had to repeatedly raise objections before eventually being shifted to an English-medium section.
The student further alleged that after completing Class 10, the school informed them that separate English-medium sections would not be available in Classes 11 and 12.
Teachers from some schools in east Delhi also expressed concern about the reported practice.
A teacher quoted by TOI claimed that some schools merge English and Hindi-medium students into a single classroom to manage staffing and classroom resources more efficiently.
According to the teacher, this arrangement can create difficulties for students who have studied in English-medium sections throughout their school years and are suddenly required to adjust to a different learning environment.
Teachers told TOI that students in several schools across northeast Delhi may be facing similar issues.
Some schools mentioned in the discussions include CR Dass SKV and schools in the Seelampur area. According to teachers, the reported changes have prompted some families to explore transfer options in order to continue English-medium education elsewhere.
However, the Directorate of Education has not publicly responded to the concerns raised so far.
Education activist and lawyer Ashok Agarwal has written to the Directorate of Education, urging officials to investigate the reported discontinuation and merging of English-medium sections in Class 11.
According to TOI, Agarwal’s letter states that students who studied in English-medium classes up to Class 10 are facing difficulties in continuing their education in the same medium.
He has called for an inquiry into why separate English-medium sections are reportedly not being maintained in certain schools and requested steps to ensure students can continue studying in their preferred medium.
Education advocates believe the issue could have a wider impact beyond academics.
Speaking to TOI, Agarwal said that merging English-medium students with Hindi-medium sections may affect students’ confidence, communication skills, academic performance and overall development.
Parents are also worried that sudden changes in the language of instruction could make learning more difficult during Classes 11 and 12, which are crucial years for board examinations and higher education preparation.
With concerns continuing to grow, many parents and students are now waiting for a response from education authorities. If the reported issues are addressed, it could help students continue their studies in the medium they have followed throughout their schooling.
For now, the debate has highlighted a larger question about language choice, educational continuity and equal opportunities for students in Delhi’s government school system.
