Education system needs total overhaul

Time and again, it is proved that teaching in English medium rather than mother tongue for the first three years of primary education would severely impair the cognitive skills of a child. (English medium schools may not benefit India's poorest students- THI, November 26).

Obviously, there is an urgent need to realise the fact that a student can acquire scholarly knowledge in English language by studying it as one of the subjects after first 3 years of primary education rather than being forced to learn through English medium right from the beginning.

The need of the hour is to overhaul our education system completely to enable it to produce world class students equipped with sharp and innovative brains to stand at par with the students of reputed foreign universities. It is a great concern to all of us that even our top universities are pushed to a corner as far as world rankings are concerned.

It is better to take the right steps at least now and focus on primary education first by implementing the suggestions of scientists and intellectuals. It should be made mandatory for every kid to pursue first three years of learning in the medium of mother tongue.

This small step in primary education, coupled with necessary remedial steps in higher education, would definitely put India in the comity of nations that produce students of international standard and outstanding talent.
Narne Raveendra Babu, Hyderabad