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Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) is set to introduce a two-stream system for the English subject in classes 9 and 10, beginning the next academic session.

Can the Two-Stream System for English Bridge Madhya Pradesh's Educational Gap?
TINA KHATRI
Indore
Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education (MPBSE) is set to introduce a two-stream system for the English subject in classes 9 and 10, beginning the next academic session. Under this system, students will choose between General English and Specific English, tailored to different learning needs. While this reform aims to improve English proficiency, the question remains: will it be enough to bridge the significant educational gaps in the state?
The Urgent Need for Reform
Madhya Pradesh's educational system is facing a major crisis in language literacy. According to the Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), only 34.9% of class 8 students in the state can read basic English sentences. The disparity is more pronounced in government schools, where just 26.7% of students can read English compared to 61.6% in private schools. This glaring gap highlights the need for targeted interventions to address the issue, and the introduction of a two-stream system is a step toward that direction.
The two streams aim to cater to students at different proficiency levels: General English, designed for those seeking practical language skills for communication, and Specific English, which will delve deeper into literature, advanced grammar, and language analysis for students planning to specialize in English or pursue careers where a strong command of the language is essential.
Will Simplifying the Syllabus Be Enough?
While the new system may help around 70% of students clear the MPBSE class 10 exams, the underlying question remains: will simplifying the syllabus truly address the core issues of learning and retention? While it may help bring down the dropout rate—12 lakh students left government schools between 2016 and 2024—there are deeper issues at play. School infrastructure, teacher shortages, and lack of resources remain persistent challenges that cannot be solved by curriculum reforms alone.
As per the latest UDISE report, 13,198 schools in Madhya Pradesh rely on just one teacher, and 3,620 schools lack separate toilets for girls. Moreover, 7,422 schools do not have access to drinking water, and 10,702 schools have non-functional toilets. These logistical challenges often contribute to higher dropout rates and poor student performance, making it difficult for reforms to reach their full potential.
A Step Towards Equal Opportunity
Despite the challenges, the two-stream system presents a much-needed opportunity for government school students to catch up with their peers in private schools. "The widening gap in English literacy between government and private school students is alarming," Rajnish Shrotriya, teacher from CM Rise Govt Ahilya Ashram School, Indore, said, "This system could provide more focused attention and give students in government schools a chance to improve."
Shweta Yadav, a class 9 student from a government school in Indore, expressed optimism about the reform: "English has always been difficult for me, especially grammar and literature. The General English stream will help me improve my communication skills, which are essential for my future."
Meanwhile, students from private schools, who typically have better proficiency in English, can benefit from the Specific English stream, which offers a deeper exploration of the language, preparing them for higher studies or careers in fields where English is pivotal. "I've always had a passion for English," says Arjun Rao, a class 9 student from a private school in Indore. "The Specific English stream will allow me to take my skills to the next level, preparing me for competitive exams where English proficiency is key."
Teacher Training and Infrastructure Challenges
While the two-stream system is seen as a positive step, its success depends heavily on teacher training and adequate resources. With a severe shortage of teachers—especially in core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science—many schools in Madhya Pradesh are unable to deliver quality education. Reports indicate that over half of the teaching positions for these subjects remain vacant at the secondary level, making it difficult to implement reforms effectively.
Additionally, the state's teacher-student ratio is less than optimal, with 1.4 lakh primary teachers serving 70 lakh students from classes 1 to 8. Many schools depend on a single teacher for multiple subjects, limiting the effectiveness of teaching, especially in rural and under-resourced areas.
In response to these challenges, the State Education Centre has mandated special classes for students who have failed exams, with a 33% pass mark required for students to move on. However, without better-trained teachers and improved school infrastructure, these efforts may fall short.
Aligning with the National Education Policy
The introduction of this system aligns with the National Education Policy (NEP), which advocates for specialized learning pathways and flexibility in the school curriculum. The MPBSE's earlier initiative to introduce a two-stream system in Mathematics—offering General Mathematics and Special Mathematics—has seen some success, with students benefiting from a more personalized approach to learning. The English reform is expected to follow suit, offering students a chance to engage with the subject in a way that suits their individual needs.
“The flexibility and specialization offered by the two-stream system are promising,” Gopal Soni, patron member of MP board private school association said, “By catering to the varied needs of students, we can help them perform better in exams and equip them with skills that will be useful in their future careers.”
Looking Ahead: Overcoming Roadblocks
Despite the promising changes, teacher shortages, inadequate resources, and poor infrastructure remain significant hurdles.

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