On Teaching English Via Radio

Last Sunday we commented on the Mayawati government’s decision to teach English in Class 1. The post was entitled “Leave it to Edupreneurs” – saying that vouchers would be wasteful and quite pointless.

After all, neither the State nor the private sector can recruit the huge number of good English teachers that would be required.

This Sunday, then, there is news that an “Angrezi Seekho Radio Lesson” is to be launched in Mayawati's Uttar Pradesh from August 1. School teachers are expected to tune in and learn English, along with their students. The news report says that “the module will be launched in 1700 primary and 400 upper primary schools simultaneously.”

This is indeed the best way to accomplish the task.

But should the government be involved?

Cannot edupreneurs do this much better?

I am extremely skeptical of any government education because the tendency will always be to teach what is in the interest of the government.

We need to teach kids about Liberty Under Law – why they should be free from all government interference while going about conducting voluntary market exchanges.

I am a bit worried that the Mayawati sarkaar’s English lessons via radio will contain “education about environmental concerns.” This could well be harmful propaganda that promotes government interference on environmental matters. Let us keep the kids far away from global warming poppycock.

That apart, the idea of English lessons via radio is an excellent one, capable of wide reach at extremely low cost.

A far better idea than educational vouchers.