The Himachal Pradesh government has approved a proposal by the Directorate of Primary Education to implement English medium education in government schools up to class 5. The significant policy shift aims to compete with private schools and curb the exodus of students from government institutions.
Starting from the academic session 2025-26, all 10,300 primary schools in the state will transition from Hindi to English medium for teaching. The Directorate of Elementary Education has already begun printing English medium textbooks for the upcoming academic session.
This change follows the initial implementation of English medium education in classes 1 and 2 during the 2024-25 academic session. In these classes, Hindi, English and mathematics are taught, with mathematics being instructed in English. The new phase will see English medium instruction expanded up to class 5, covering subjects like mathematics and environmental studies.
A senior official from the Director of Elementary Education said that this decision was informed by surveys conducted by both central and state governments, which indicated that the lack of English medium education in government schools was a key factor driving parents to prefer private institutions. The government aims to reverse this trend and boost enrolment in government schools through this initiative.
To ensure the successful implementation of the new system, the Directorate of Elementary Education has trained 20,000 teachers. These educators have completed district and block-level training programmes and are prepared to teach students from class 1 to 5 in English medium.
The education department is hopeful that the introduction of English medium instruction will enhance the overall educational experience and outcomes for students, making government schools a more competitive and appealing option for parents.
