Exploring Learning Achievement and Classroom Experience in English Medium Low-Cost Private Schools: Does English as Medium of Instruction Act as Enabler or Barrier to Learning Achievement and What Are the Implications for Social Equity

Aims & Objectives: The project aims to explore and analyse:

• How learning achievement in English as a subject and in other subjects which have textbooks in English is influenced by the use of English as a medium of instruction.
• The implications for social equity in terms of accessing quality school education with regard to students with poor socio-economic and educational background and the usual practice of taking private tuition.

Methodology: The study will mainly use primary data based on (i) household survey, (ii) school survey, (iii) learning achievement tests and in-depth interviews with children and (iv) Focus Group Discussions with parents. Working papers on the main research questions and hypothesis will be published along with a book. Conferences will be organized to present the results and engage with the academic and larger community.