Chennai: Tamil lovers or rather those with strong affinity for the language may not relish this. Over one lakh students were enrolled in the English medium section of the government schools this academic year, thus displaying increasing interest among parents to educate their children in English. Stating that the English medium sections had greatly helped to increase the enrollment rate in the government-run schools across Tamil Nadu, school education minister P. Benjamin said the government has been laying special emphasis on imparting quality education to the students. “Over 1.07 lakh students have enrolled into the English medium sections in the government schools during this academic year,” he said denying a charge by Congress legislative party leader K.R. Ramasamy that many government schools were languishing for want of students and teachers.

Joining the issue, handlooms and textile minister O.S. Manian said Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa had ushered in transformation in the appointment of teachers and following this the quality of education had improved. “Even the pass percentage in the government school has increased…Now parents want to send their children to government schools,” he added.