Question

Annette studies in a Dutch medium school in the northern region of Belgium. Many French-speaking students in her school want the medium of instruction to be French. Selvi studies in a school in the northern region of Sri Lanka. All the students in her school are Tamil-speaking and they want the medium of instruction to be Tamil.

If the parents of Annette and Selvi were to approach respective governments to realise the desire of the child who is more likely to succeed? And why?

Answer 1

Annette’s parents are most likely to succeed since, in Belgium, the community administration is elected by people who speak a single language, either Dutch, French, or German. This government has control over cultural, educational, and linguistic problems.

Selvi’s parents may not succeed in Sri Lanka. Here, the central government is in charge of education. It is almost impossible for ordinary people to consult with the central authority and solve such a problem.