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THAT the dismal performance of students in the latest 10th and 12th Class examinations has prompted a rethink on the way education is imparted in Punjab government schools is itself an encouraging sign. There will be opposition from overzealous education-through-mother-tongue champions but the Amarinder Singh government should stay the course. English is being offered as an option along with Punjabi and it is not being imposed. More and more parents want their children to gain proficiency in English. To cater to their demand, English-medium schools have mushroomed across Punjab, many of doubtful quality, resulting unfortunately in a simultaneous decline of government schools. There are valid arguments in favour of imparting primary education in the child’s mother-tongue. The issue here is of securing the child’s future and parents’ concern is justifiable. Gujaratis who stuck to the mother-tongue concept have been bypassed by the IT revolution. Punjabi cannot be kept alive by being thrust on reluctant children. Threats to Punjabi are exaggerated, if not invented. Education in English medium is denied to children from modest backgrounds and they are the ones who need English the most to overcome the challenge of poverty. The education gap has led to an aggravated social, economic and urban-rural divide. Children from well-off families get quality education, mostly in English-medium urban schools affiliated to the CBSE or the ICSE. Their rural counterparts languish in substandard government schools.  It all boils down to two points — the freedom to choose the medium of instruction and the gross neglect of government educational institutions. Government indifference has wrought havoc on education. The taxpayer’s money has been diverted to fund freebies for votes. The lost glory of government schools cannot be restored without increased budgetary allocations, filling all vacant posts, hiring staff on merit, providing basic infrastructure and ensuring close monitoring at every level. The foundation for rebuilding a new Punjab can be laid only by taking care of schools and hospitals. Those who have the responsibility to govern will need to understand and demonstrate a long-term vision and commitment. A good beginning has been made, for now.